Woven Sealing Skirt Loops for Prosthetic Valve Leak Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthetic heart valves face challenges in achieving a secure seal with the native annulus due to diameter differences and anatomical variations, leading to paravalvular leakage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a sealing element with a woven skirt featuring interwoven filaments that form loops extending radially outward, promoting thrombus formation and conforming to the surrounding anatomy to enhance sealing properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing element with loops is added to the prosthetic valve, then sealing performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is divided into multiple functional segments: a woven fabric base layer and multiple loops extending radially outward. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the fabric provides structural support while the loops create thrombus formation - resolving the contradiction by achieving complex sealing performance through modular design rather than a single complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element combines different materials with complementary properties: a woven fabric made from biocompatible polymers (such as polyester or polypropylene) integrated with loop structures. This composite construction achieves both structural integrity and enhanced sealing through thrombus promotion, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sealing element conforms to surrounding anatomy, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element incorporates dynamic characteristics through its loop structures that can flex and conform to varying anatomical geometries. The woven fabric base provides flexibility while the radially extending loops can adapt to different annulus shapes and sizes, resolving the contradiction between anatomical adaptability and manufacturing precision by designing a structure that is precisely manufacturable yet dynamically adaptable
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element design allows for parameter variations in loop size, spacing, and fabric density to accommodate different anatomical configurations. These controlled parameter changes enable the same basic structure to adapt to various patient anatomies while maintaining manufacturability through standardized production processes
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 loops obstruct blood flow, increase dwell time, and induce thrombus formation, thereby improving the seal and reducing leakage around the prosthetic valve.
Implementation Method 1
The loops obstruct blood flow, increase dwell time, and induce thrombus formation, thereby improving the seal and reducing leakage around the prosthetic valve
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable prosthetic valve that is radially collapsible to a collapsed configuration and radially expandable to an expanded configuration includes an annular frame having an inflow end, an outflow end, and a longitudinal axis. A leaflet structure is positioned within the frame and secured thereto, and a sealing element is secured to the frame. The sealing element includes a first woven portion extending circumferentially around the frame. The first woven portion includes a plurality of interwoven filaments. The sealing element further includes a second woven portion extending circumferentially around the frame and spaced apart from the first woven portion along the longitudinal axis of the frame. At least a portion of the filaments exit the weave of the first woven portion and form loops extending radially outwardly from the frame.