Segmented Annuloplasty Ring for Percutaneous Heart Valve Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for repairing heart valves, such as open heart surgery, are invasive and risky, and existing catheter-based systems struggle to deliver and fix rigid or semi-rigid annuloplasty rings effectively due to the need for open-chest procedures.

Innovation Solution

Development of segmented annuloplasty rings that can transition from an elongate insertion geometry to a rigid or semi-rigid annular shape for percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation, using shape memory materials and deployable anchors to secure the ring to the heart valve annulus without open-chest surgery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If open heart surgery is used to implant annuloplasty rings, then the ring can be securely sewn into the valve annulus, but the procedure becomes highly invasive requiring heart-lung machine and thoracic cavity opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure anchoring of annuloplasty ringVSAvoidinvasiveness of surgical procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The annuloplasty ring is divided into multiple segments that can be compressed together to form a compact profile for catheter delivery, then expanded at the target site to achieve the final annular shape for secure anchoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The annuloplasty ring segments are nested within a delivery catheter during delivery, allowing the rigid ring structure to be transported through flexible vasculature without requiring open-chest surgery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If rigid or semi-rigid annuloplasty rings are used for valve repair, then structural integrity is maintained, but delivery through catheter becomes difficult without open-chest procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity of annuloplasty ringVSAvoiddeliverability through catheter

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The annuloplasty ring transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure that can change shape between compressed delivery state and expanded functional state, enabling both catheter delivery and structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameters of the annuloplasty ring (shape, volume, rigidity) are changed between delivery and deployment phases, allowing compression for catheter passage while maintaining structural integrity when deployed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If traditional sewn-in annuloplasty rings are used, then reliable fixation is achieved, but patient recovery time is prolonged and infection risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation reliability of annuloplasty ringVSAvoidpatient recovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional mechanical sewing process is replaced with a minimally invasive catheter-based deployment system that uses shape memory materials and expandable structures to achieve fixation without external incisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The annuloplasty ring utilizes phase transition materials (shape memory alloys or polymers) that change from a flexible deliverable state to a rigid functional state, enabling minimally invasive deployment with reliable fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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 repair of heart valves by allowing percutaneous delivery and secure anchoring of annuloplasty rings, reducing recovery time and risk for patients, while maintaining the structural integrity needed for effective valve repair.

Implementation Method 1

using shape memory materials and deployable anchors to secure the ring to the heart valve annulus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory effect: Shape Memory Alloy

Data Source

PatentEP2600799B1Percutaneous transcatheter repair of heart valves

Publication Date: 2017.05.17 VALCARE INC

Figure 1
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D

AI summary

Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves. An annuloplasty ring includes an outer hollow member including a plurality of segments. Adjacent segments cooperate with one another to change the outer hollow member from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry. The annuloplasty ring also includes an internal anchor member located at least partially within the outer hollow member. The internal anchor member includes a plurality of anchors configured to attach the annuloplasty ring to tissue of a heart valve annulus. The internal anchor member is configured to move the plurality of anchors with respect to a plurality of windows in the outer hollow member to selectively deploy the plurality of anchors through the respective windows.