Riveted Stent Valve for Percutaneous Pulmonary Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pulmonary valve replacement methods, especially in young patients, face challenges such as repeated surgeries due to valve size issues and calcification, and suture-based attachment methods are labor-intensive and prone to abrasion and breakage.

Innovation Solution

A pulmonary valve replacement system featuring a prosthetic valve connected to an expandable support structure with a plurality of struts and attachment devices, allowing for percutaneous catheter-based delivery and secure attachment within the pulmonary artery, using a stent framework and attachment devices with shape memory materials for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If suture-based attachment methods are used to attach the prosthetic valve to the stent framework, then the valve can be securely attached, but the attachment process becomes labor-intensive and the sutures are prone to abrasion and breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidattachment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional suture-based mechanical attachment system with a friction-based mechanical system. The crimping mechanism applies radial force to compress the prosthetic valve against the stent framework, creating friction that secures the attachment without requiring sutures. This substitution eliminates the labor-intensive suturing process while maintaining secure attachment through friction and compression forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the suture component from the attachment system entirely. By eliminating sutures from the design, the invention avoids the problems of suture abrasion, breakage, and labor-intensive application. The attachment is achieved through the crimping mechanism alone, which compresses the valve material directly against the stent framework without any intermediate suture elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If traditional open-heart surgery is used for valve replacement, then the valve can be replaced, but the procedure involves extended recovery time and significant surgical risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve replacement effectivenessVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested structure where the prosthetic valve is crimped onto a delivery catheter, which is then inserted through the patient's vasculature. The entire valve assembly is nested within the catheter during delivery, allowing percutaneous access without open surgery. This nested delivery system enables the valve to be implanted through a small puncture site rather than requiring a large surgical incision, dramatically reducing recovery time while maintaining replacement effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery catheter serves as an intermediary device that facilitates the implantation of the prosthetic valve through a minimally invasive approach. The catheter mediates between the external access point and the target location in the heart, carrying the crimped valve through the vasculature to the implantation site. This intermediary system enables percutaneous delivery, avoiding the need for open-heart surgery and its associated recovery time and risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a fixed-size prosthetic valve is implanted in a young patient, then the valve provides adequate flow at the time of implantation, but the valve becomes too small as the child grows, requiring replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial valve functionalityVSAvoidvalve size adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic stent framework that can expand from a compressed delivery state to a larger implanted state. The stent is designed with memory or expandable structure that allows it to transition from a small crimped configuration during delivery to a larger expanded configuration at the implantation site. This dynamic size change capability allows a single valve design to accommodate both small initial sizes for pediatric patients and larger final sizes for growth, eliminating the need for replacement as the child grows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 minimally invasive, repeat-free valve replacements by expanding the stented valve within the pulmonary artery, reducing the need for multiple surgeries and minimizing the risk of suture-related complications, while accommodating growth and ensuring long-term functionality.

Implementation Method 1

attachment devices with shape memory materials for secure positioning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory: Shape Memory Alloy

Data Source

PatentUS7591848B2Riveted stent valve for percutaneous use

Publication Date: 2009.09.22 MEDTRONIC VASCULAR INC

AI summary

A system and method for treating a vascular condition includes a conduit having an inner wall defining lumen and a replacement valve device. The replacement valve device includes a prosthetic valve connected to an expandable support structure; the expandable support structure includes at least one valve attachment portion and a plurality of valve attachment devices. Each valve attachment portion includes a plurality of struts, each strut having at least one opening for receiving one of the plurality of valve attachment devices.