Self-Expanding Wire Framework for Minimally Invasive Heart Assist Device Deployment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current minimally invasive heart assist device implantation methods are slow, painful, and risky due to the need for guidewires, leading to prolonged recovery times and increased infection risk, especially for patients with myocardial infarction or CHF.

Innovation Solution

A self-expanding wire framework device with a deployment tube and a polymer film that flares outwardly to encircle the heart, eliminating the need for guidewires by using articulated wire loops and struts to facilitate quick and safe deployment of extra-cardiac devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional direct cardiac compression devices are implanted using sternotomy, then the device can be implanted securely, but the procedure is painful, requires long recovery time, and carries high infection risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice implantation securityVSAvoidpain, infection risk, recovery time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple articulated wire loops that can be deployed sequentially through a catheter, allowing minimally invasive insertion while maintaining structural integrity for secure device attachment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The articulated wire loops are nested within a catheter during delivery, allowing the entire device to be delivered through a minimally invasive catheter-based approach rather than requiring open sternotomy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Loss of time

If current minimally invasive implantation methods are used, then recovery time is reduced, but the procedure is slow and difficult requiring guidewires

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecovery timeVSAvoidimplantation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The articulated wire loops are self-expanding and self-positioning, automatically flaring outward to engage the heart surface without requiring guidewires or complex positioning maneuvers, thereby speeding up the implantation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The wire loops are pre-configured with articulated joints that automatically activate upon deployment, eliminating the need for time-consuming guidewire placement and device positioning during the procedure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If guidewires are used for minimally invasive device delivery, then the procedure can be performed less invasively, but there is risk of guidewire entanglement and the procedure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoidguidewire entanglement risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guidewire component is completely removed from the system. The articulated wire loops are delivered through a catheter using only pushable wires for delivery, eliminating guidewire entanglement risks and procedural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A catheter is used as an intermediary delivery system to transport the self-expanding wire loops to the heart, replacing the need for guidewires while maintaining minimally invasive access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution enables rapid, minimally invasive implantation of heart assist devices, reducing recovery time, infection risk, and allowing for quicker restoration of cardiac function, with potential for shorter hospital stays and improved patient outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

the left midway bend and right midway bend result in a tension that causes the set of articulated wire loops to engage in a circumferential flaring motion and bend outwardly as the self-expanding framework is deployed from the deployment tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3322380B1Self-expanding heart assist device
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 CORINNOVA INC
  • EP3322380B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3322380B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3322380B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The present invention includes a device and method for a self-expanding framework device adapted to facilitate the deployment of an extra-cardiac device. The device includes a deployment tube and a self-expanding wire framework having a structure that results in the self-expanding wire framework circumferential flaring motion and bending outwardly to advance around the heart.