Radiofrequency Fusion of Heart Valve Leaflets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for repairing or replacing heart valves are invasive and traumatic, often requiring large openings in the chest and cardiopulmonary bypass, which are not suitable for all patients, especially the elderly or those with significant cardiac disease.
Innovation Solution
A method using a radiofrequency device with forceps having opposing jaw members to fuse or seal heart valve leaflets by applying radiofrequency energy, allowing for minimally invasive procedures without opening the chest or stopping the heart, using small incisions and accessing the heart through the femoral arteries or veins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional open surgical methods are used to repair heart valves, then effective valve repair can be achieved, but significant trauma and metabolic disturbance occur to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical instruments requiring large incisions with a radiofrequency energy delivery system. The forceps with conductive sealing plates deliver electromagnetic energy to fuse tissue, eliminating the need for extensive mechanical dissection and large chest openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of tissue through controlled radiofrequency heating. By adjusting energy parameters (power, duration, frequency), the system achieves tissue fusion at specific temperatures that create strong bonds without requiring mechanical suturing or stapling.
2Ease of operation
If large openings in the chest are made to access heart valves, then surgical instruments can be inserted, but the procedure becomes highly invasive with increased risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables access to heart valves through alternative anatomical pathways (femoral vein, femoral artery, jugular vein) rather than direct chest incisions. This dimensional change in access route allows instrument delivery through peripheral vessels to reach the heart, avoiding thoracic surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the patient's own blood vessels as intermediary pathways to deliver the forceps to the heart valve. The femoral vein or artery serves as a conduit, allowing the device to navigate through the circulatory system to reach the target valve without external chest incisions.
3Ease of manufacture
If cardiopulmonary bypass is used during valve surgery, then the heart can be stopped for repair, but the procedure becomes more complex and risky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the heart to continue beating during the repair procedure. The radiofrequency fusion technique can seal tissue and fuse leaflets on a beating heart, eliminating the need for cardiopulmonary bypass and heart cessation, thereby reducing procedural complexity.
4Strength
If radiofrequency energy is applied to fuse tissue, then strong tissue bonding is achieved, but precise control of energy delivery is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent concentrates radiofrequency energy delivery to the specific interface between opposing tissue layers held by the forceps. The conductive sealing plates focus energy precisely where needed for fusion, while surrounding tissues receive minimal energy exposure, achieving strong localized bonding with controlled energy distribution.
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
Enables effective fusion or sealing of heart valve leaflets to treat valve incompetence and regurgitation with reduced trauma and risk, suitable for patients who cannot undergo traditional open-heart surgery, potentially reducing recovery time and avoiding lifelong medication.
Implementation Method 1
applying radiofrequency energy to the jaw members to fuse or seal the portion of the first heart valve leaflet to the portion of the second heart valve leaflet
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cardiac surgical intervention relies on sealing or fusing heart valve leaflets without requiring implanted materials such as sutures or staples. The method provides a forceps having at least one shaft and an end effector assembly attached thereto. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing jaw members configured to move from an open, spread position to a closed, grasping position; creating at least one opening in the patient for inserting the forceps therein; inserting through the opening and manipulating jaw members of the forceps to grasp a portion of a first heart valve leaflet and a portion of a second heart valve leaflet therebetween; activating the forceps to close the jaw members about the leaflet portions under a working pressure, applying radiofrequency energy to the jaw members to seal the portion of the first heart valve leaflet to the portion of the second heart valve leaflet.