Segmented Catheter for Heart Valve Annulus Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for heart valve reconstruction, particularly for the mitral valve, face challenges in modifying the native valve annulus and ensuring optimal placement of a new valve prosthesis without damaging the original valve components, often resulting in altered stent shapes due to the morphology and condition of the native valve.
Innovation Solution
A flexible catheter designed to form a ring around the heart valve with adjustable segments, equipped with attachment elements that can be suctioned onto tissue for a flush and fluid-tight attachment, allowing for long-term modification of the valve annulus and vessel cross-section through length adjustment of individual segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a new heart valve prosthesis is pressed into an old deformed valve, then the implantation can be performed minimally invasively, but the new valve becomes altered from its original stent shape due to the morphology and condition of the native valve
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple individual segments that can be independently adjusted in length. This segmentation allows the catheter to adapt to the irregular morphology of the native valve annulus while maintaining the overall circular configuration, thereby preserving the stent shape accuracy during minimally invasive implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter segments are designed with adjustable length capabilities, allowing dynamic adaptation to the specific anatomical conditions of the patient's valve. This dynamic adjustment enables the catheter to conform to the deformed native valve morphology without compromising the geometric integrity of the implanted stent.
2Manufacturing precision
If the catheter forms a fixed circular configuration, then the stent shape is maintained, but the catheter cannot adapt to the irregular morphology and condition of the native valve annulus
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the catheter into multiple independent segments, the design combines the stability of a fixed circular configuration with the adaptability to irregular valve morphology. Each segment can be individually adjusted to accommodate variations in the native valve annulus while maintaining the overall circular shape necessary for proper stent deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the catheter can be adjusted to have different lengths, allowing local adaptation to specific anatomical variations in the valve annulus. This local customization enables the catheter to conform to irregular morphologies in specific areas while maintaining the global circular configuration required for proper stent placement.
3Reliability
If attachment elements are added to the catheter segments, then secure attachment to tissue is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment elements are integrated directly into the catheter segments themselves, merging the attachment function with the structural components. This integration secures reliable attachment to the tissue while avoiding the addition of separate, complex attachment mechanisms, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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, long-term reconstruction of the heart valve annulus, optimizing the valve's function by allowing precise attachment and adjustment of the catheter segments to match the anatomical conditions, thereby addressing valve insufficiency without completely removing the original valve.
Implementation Method 1
The hollow cavities can be subjected to pressure changes in order to modify the length of individual segments
Implementation Method 2
The attachment elements can be adjusted in such a manner that a vacuum is created through suction, thereby attaching the segments to the tissue surface
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a catheter (10a), comprising a flexible catheter body (10a) forming at least two hollow spaces (90, 100/110) along the longitudinal extension thereof, characterized in that the catheter body (10a) comprises at least two consecutively arranged sections (20) having sheaths (60) that are arranged between the sections (20) and seal the hollow spaces (90, 100/110) at least in some sections, wherein the one hollow space (90) is designed so it communicates with at least one opening (70) penetrating the catheter wall in each section (20), and the other hollow space (100/110) is equipped to introduce an element (40/50) that brings about a longitudinal change of at least one of the sections (20).