Semicircular Cutting Ring Hinge for Heart Valve Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical instruments for removing defective heart valves face issues such as inconsistent spiral configurations of cutting elements, leading to problems when collapsing the contact protective sheath, non-circular cuts, and 'chipping' of the valve, which complicates the insertion of a new valve.

Innovation Solution

The instrument features cutting elements formed of semicircular halves joined by a single-axis hinge joint and elastically deformable fish joints, allowing for precise circular cuts and stable dimensional control, enabling reliable collapse and expansion of the cutting rings for smooth sheath reattachment and precise cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If spiral cutting elements are used, then the instrument can be collapsed radially for introduction, but the cutting elements produce inconsistent spiral configurations leading to non-circular cuts and valve chipping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial collapse capabilityVSAvoidcutting precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting element is divided into two separate semicircular cutting rings that can independently collapse and expand. Each semicircular ring is a distinct segment that maintains its shape during collapse, avoiding the inconsistent spiral configuration problem while enabling radial compression for instrument introduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting element uses semicircular arcs instead of spiral windings. The semicircular shape maintains geometric consistency during collapse and expansion, ensuring that the cutting path remains circular and preventing valve chipping, while still allowing radial compression for minimally invasive access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If contact protective sheath is used during introduction, then the instrument can be advanced through the heart, but the sheath must be removed after cutting which complicates the procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection during advancementVSAvoidsheath reattachment procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting element is segmented into two independent semicircular rings that can collapse radially. This segmentation allows the entire cutting element to be compressed to a smaller diameter, enabling the contact protective sheath to remain in place during both advancement and cutting operations, eliminating the need for sheath removal and reattachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting element transitions dynamically between expanded and collapsed states. When collapsed, it fits within the contact protective sheath for safe advancement. The dynamic collapse capability allows the sheath to protect the cutting element throughout the entire procedure without requiring removal or reattachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If spirally wound cutting elements are used, then the instrument can cut the valve, but the cutting elements cannot maintain consistent geometric shape during collapse and expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting capabilityVSAvoidgeometric consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting element employs semicircular arcs with fixed radii instead of spirally wound configurations. The semicircular geometry inherently maintains consistent shape and dimensions during collapse and expansion, ensuring geometric stability and producing circular cuts without the variability inherent in spiral designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting element changes its radial dimension parameter while maintaining its angular geometry. The semicircular rings collapse radially to reduce diameter for instrument introduction, but their arc shape and cutting radius remain consistent, preserving geometric stability throughout the procedure.

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

This design ensures consistent, circular cuts and prevents valve 'chipping', facilitating easier insertion of a new heart valve by maintaining the advantages of radial collapse and expansion while ensuring smooth sheath reattachment and precise cutting.

Implementation Method 1

each half of the cutting ring is made of an elastically deformable flat material strip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

each is attached by means of the head end of an elastically deformable fish joint that is resistant to extension and compression

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical joint: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS8979878B2Instrument for the surgical removal of a defective heart valve

Publication Date: 2015.03.17 ALLEIMA KARLSRUHE GMBH

AI summary

An instrument for the surgical removal of a defective heart valve. The instrument has elements that can be collapsed, in which the instrument cutting elements are collapsed when the instrument is introduced into the surgical field and are covered by means of contact protective sheaths. The instrument cutting elements are formed as cutting ring halves that can fold in around a hinge axis, these cutting ring halves being elastically deformable during the folding-in process, whereby their deformation is achieved by fish joints that also serve to aid in mutually moving the contact protective sheaths onto each of two body members.