Prosthetic Valve Spacing Member Prevents Vessel Wall Adherence
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Prosthetic valves for body vessels face issues with movable portions adhering to or becoming incorporated into the vessel wall, affecting their performance and functionality, particularly when materials like bioremodellable grafts interact with the vessel wall, leading to potential fixation in an open or partially open configuration.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spacing member with a predetermined thickness on the valve portion to prevent contact with the vessel wall, using materials such as extracellular matrix or resorbable polymers, which can be disposed on the valve portion to prevent adherence and mechanical interaction, allowing for movement and maintaining valve functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bioremodellable graft materials are used in the prosthetic valve, then cellular access for remodeling is facilitated, but the movable valve portion adheres to or becomes incorporated into the vessel wall, affecting valve functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The graft material is divided into two distinct segments: a fixed portion that contacts the vessel wall and facilitates cellular remodeling, and a movable valve portion that remains separated from the wall through a spacing member. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function without interference - the fixed portion enables adaptability while the movable portion maintains reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A spacing member is introduced as an intermediary element between the movable valve portion and the vessel wall. This spacing member prevents direct contact and adhesion of the valve portion to the wall, while still allowing the fixed portion of the graft to interact with the wall for remodeling. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by enabling cellular access through the fixed portion while protecting valve functionality through the spacing member
2Ease of operation
If the valve portion is allowed to move freely for proper function, then fluid flow regulation is maintained, but the valve portion may contact the vessel wall causing adherence or incorporation
Solution Approach 1:
The spacing member serves as a protective intermediary between the movable valve portion and the vessel wall. It allows the valve to move freely for proper operation while preventing harmful contact with the wall that would cause adherence or incorporation. The spacing member is positioned to clear the valve portion from the wall during movement
Solution Approach 2:
The spacing member can be implemented as a flexible thin film or shell structure that conforms to the valve geometry while maintaining the necessary clearance. This flexible structure allows valve movement while continuously preventing contact with the vessel wall, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and prevention of harmful adherence
Data Source
AI summary
Prosthetic valves, methods of making medical devices, and methods of treatment are provided. The prosthetic valves of the invention have a valve portion moveable between first and second positions, and a spacing member that has a thickness and protects a portion of the valve portion from contact with a wall of a vessel in which the prosthetic valve is implanted, and/or another structural component of the prosthetic valve, such as a support frame.