Self-Expanding Prosthetic Valve Loading Tool With Hinged Locking Clips

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tools lack efficiency and effectiveness in loading self-expanding prosthetic valve devices into delivery systems, particularly in ensuring secure positioning and preventing damage to the prosthesis during the loading process.

Innovation Solution

A loading tool with a hinged body and a sliding collar, featuring resilient clips with radial protrusions, allows for secure locking in a closed configuration, preventing the tool from opening and ensuring the prosthesis is properly aligned and protected during loading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing tools are used to load self-expanding prosthetic valve devices, then the loading process can be performed, but the tools lack efficiency and effectiveness in ensuring secure positioning and preventing damage to the prosthesis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure positioningVSAvoidloading efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading tool is divided into multiple functional components: a handle, a body, and a collar. The body is further segmented into first and second body portions that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to achieve secure positioning and efficient loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The loading tool transitions between open and closed configurations through the relative movement of the first and second body portions. This dynamic capability allows the tool to adapt during the loading process, providing both secure positioning in the closed configuration and ease of operation in the open configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If existing tools are used to load self-expanding prosthetic valve devices, then the loading process can be performed, but the tools lack effectiveness in preventing damage to the prosthesis during loading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidloading effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The collar is positioned over the distal end of the loading tool body to provide protective cushioning during the loading process. This beforehand protection prevents direct contact and potential damage to the prosthesis while maintaining ease of operation through the designed interface between the collar and body portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the loading tool is designed with secure locking mechanisms, then reliable positioning is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidtool structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient clips automatically engage with the radial protrusions to lock the loading tool in the closed configuration without requiring additional locking mechanisms or complex control systems. This self-locking feature achieves reliable positioning while keeping the overall device structure simple and effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If resilient clips with radial protrusions are used for locking, then the tool can be locked in closed configuration, but the ease of operation is reduced due to the locking mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocked configurationVSAvoidconfiguration change

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient clips change their radial position (parameter change) between engaged and disengaged states. When the loading tool transitions from closed to open configuration, the resilient clips move radially inward to disengage from the radial protrusions, allowing easy operation while maintaining reliable locking when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The loading tool effectively facilitates the secure loading of self-expanding prosthetic valve devices into delivery systems, preventing misalignment and damage, and ensuring reliable deployment.

Implementation Method 1

Each resilient clip is configured to displaced radially inwards when a pinching force is applied thereto

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12343271B2Loading tools for prosthetic valve devices

Publication Date: 2025.07.01 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

A loading tool to facilitate loading a prosthesis into a delivery system includes a hinged body with first and second body portions and a collar slidingly disposed over the hinged body. First ends of the body portions are attached and second ends of the body portions are not attached. Each body portion includes a resilient clip that includes a radial protrusion. Each resilient clip is configured to displaced radially inwards when a pinching force is applied thereto. The loading tool has an open configuration in which the second ends are radially spaced apart and the collar is disposed over the first ends. The loading tool has a closed configuration in which the second ends are disposed directly adjacent to each other and the collar is disposed over the second ends. The radial protrusions lock the loading tool in the closed configuration when the resilient clips are not displaced radially inwards.