Prosthetic Valve Axial Positioning Rigid Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthetic valves implanted via an endoluminal approach often become wrongly positioned during deployment due to powerful blood flow, especially when being placed in the aortic region, leading to potential damage and the inability to be withdrawn without major surgery.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic valve design featuring a tubular support with a rigid member extending along its axis, connected at spaced points, and a flexible shutter with deformable membranes, which is deployed using a prop to maintain axial positioning during deployment and can be easily removed using a catheter and prop system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the prosthetic valve is deployed using a self-expanding tubular lattice support, then the valve can be easily delivered through a catheter and deployed in situ, but the valve may be wrongly positioned axially during deployment due to powerful blood flow
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic valve is segmented into a tubular lattice support structure that can be divided into deployable sections. This segmentation allows the valve to be compressed within a catheter for delivery and then expanded in situ, facilitating easy delivery while maintaining positioning control through the delivery system
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is pre-loaded and pre-positioned within a delivery catheter system before deployment. The delivery system maintains the valve in a compressed, controlled state during navigation to the target site, and only releases the valve for expansion when the desired position is achieved, thereby preventing axial displacement during deployment
2Ease of operation
If the tubular support is made of resilient metal wires forming a lattice, then the support can be compressed for delivery and self-expand at the implantation site, but the valve cannot be removed without major surgery once implanted
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular lattice support employs dynamic mechanical properties with different behaviors for delivery and removal. During delivery, the lattice is compressed to a small diameter for catheter passage. After implantation, the lattice self-expands to provide structural support. For removal, the lattice can be compressed again using a retrieval catheter, allowing the entire valve assembly to be extracted through the vascular system without major surgery
3Measurement precision
If the prosthetic valve is deployed against the flow of blood during heart contraction, then the valve can be positioned at the inlet to the aortic artery, but the large transverse surface area causes the valve to be entrained and positioned away from the carrier structure
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system applies preliminary counter-action to the blood flow forces during deployment. The valve is deployed in a controlled manner within the protection of the delivery catheter, which shields it from the full force of blood flow. Deployment is timed and positioned to minimize exposure to entrainment forces, allowing accurate positioning against the carrier structure even during heart contraction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design ensures accurate and secure placement of the prosthetic valve without axial displacement during deployment, even under blood flow, and allows for easy removal without major surgery, reducing the risk of damage to the patient.
Implementation Method 1
a tubular support constituted by a radially deformable lattice fitted with a flexible shutter disposed in the duct defined by the tubular support
Implementation Method 2
a flexible shutter connected to the tubular support and deformable between an obstruction position in which it extends transversally and a release position in which it is contracted transversally under the action of a flow of blood through the tubular support
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a prosthetic valve which is endoluminally placeable and comprises a tubular support radially deformable with respect to a main axis (X-X) from an unfolded implanting position to a folded setting position. A flexible plug connected to the tubular support and deformable between a blocking position in which it is transversally stretched and a releasing position in which it is transversally contracted by the action of a flow circulating through said tubular support. The inventive valve also comprises a rigid chord which extends generally along the generatrix of the tubular support and is connected thereto at least at two points which are remote from each other along the axis thereof.