Reinforced Prosthetic Valves with Segmented Support Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current prosthetic heart valves face challenges in securing reliably to cardiovascular structures without compromising structural integrity, leading to potential rupture and failure during cardiac cycles, and they often require anticoagulant therapy to prevent clot formation.
Innovation Solution
The development of prosthetic heart valves with continuous conical shaped structures, comprising mammalian-based tissue and biocompatible polymers, which include support structures for secure engagement to cardiovascular structures, and the option to incorporate biologically active agents for tissue regeneration and pharmacological agents to manage inflammation and clotting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prosthetic heart valves are secured to cardiovascular structures, then attachment reliability is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates leading to potential rupture and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple discrete elements including anchors, bars, and connectors that can be independently positioned and secured to cardiovascular structures, distributing mechanical stress and preventing catastrophic failure while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure utilizes composite material construction combining different biocompatible materials with complementary properties, such as flexible anchors for tissue integration and rigid bars for structural support, achieving both secure attachment and maintained structural integrity
2Reliability
If prosthetic heart valves are secured to cardiovascular structures, then attachment reliability is improved, but the valve requires anticoagulant therapy to prevent clot formation
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates biologically active agents that enable the implant to serve itself by promoting natural anticoagulation mechanisms and tissue integration, reducing the need for external anticoagulant therapy while maintaining attachment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Biologically active agents serve as intermediaries between the prosthetic valve and the host tissue, modulating the biological response to reduce thrombogenicity and promote safe integration without compromising attachment security
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic valve comprising a conical shaped sheet structure and a support structure, the sheet structure having a closed distal end and a plurality of elongated ribbon members that are positioned proximate each other in a joined relationship, whereby the ribbon members form a plurality of fluid flow modulating regions that close when fluid flow through the valve exhibits a negative flow pressure and open when fluid flow through the valve exhibits a positive flow pressure, the support structure having at least one elongated cardiovascular structure engagement member that is associated with one of the ribbon members and adapted to engage a cardiovascular structure.