Prosthetic Valve Suture Guard for Post Deflection and Suture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prosthetic heart valves face challenges during implantation due to difficulties in securing leaflets to a support structure and attaching them to the human heart, which can lead to damage from suture entanglement and improper handling.
Innovation Solution
A suture guard system with a deployable frame element that transitions from a collapsed to a deployed configuration, deflecting valve posts inward to prevent suture entanglement and facilitate secure attachment, using shape memory materials and mechanisms to apply tension and control suture positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sutures are used to secure leaflets to the frame and attach the prosthetic valve to the heart, then the prosthetic valve can be securely attached and function properly, but the sutures may become entangled with the valve posts causing damage and complicating the implantation process
Solution Approach 1:
A suture guard is introduced as an intermediary component between the sutures and the valve posts. The suture guard includes a body with a suture receiving portion that guides sutures away from the valve posts, and a suture deflection surface that actively deflects sutures to prevent entanglement with the valve posts during implantation and afterward
2Strength
If the prosthetic valve structure includes exposed valve posts for structural support, then the valve can maintain proper geometry and function, but the exposed posts create targets for suture entanglement and potential damage during implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The suture guard serves as a protective intermediary that covers the valve posts while allowing them to maintain their structural function. The guard body positioned at the outflow end creates a physical barrier that prevents direct interaction between sutures and the valve posts, reducing implantation difficulty
3Reliability
If the suture guard is deployed to protect against suture entanglement, then suture positioning is improved and damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases with additional components and deployment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The suture guard is designed to be self-deflecting, where the suture deflection surface automatically guides sutures away from valve posts based on the natural tension and positioning of the sutures during implantation. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex active control systems while maintaining reliable suture positioning
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 suture guard system simplifies prosthetic heart valve implantation by reducing suture entanglement, protecting the valve and tissue from damage, and ensuring proper alignment and attachment, thereby enhancing surgical efficiency and reducing complications.
Implementation Method 1
A suture guard system with a deployable frame element that transitions from a collapsed to a deployed configuration, deflecting valve posts inward to prevent suture entanglement and facilitate secure attachment, using shape memory materials and mechanisms to apply tension and control suture positioning
Data Source
AI summary
A system can include a prosthetic heart valve having a commissure post configured to receive a first portion of a fiber and a suture support configured to engage with the prosthetic heart valve. The suture support can include a first portion to interface with an inflow side of the prosthetic heart valve and a fiber holding portion to receive a second portion of the fiber. A second portion of the suture support can be coupled to the first portion of the suture guard and be movable inwardly toward the first portion of the suture guard to transform the fiber from a non-tensioned state to a tensioned state. The fiber in the tensioned state can cause the commissure post to bend inward toward a longitudinal axis of the prosthetic heart valve.