Snap-Fitted Stiffening Ring for Heart Valve Cuff Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for coupling sewing cuffs to heart valves are labor-intensive and prone to damage due to excessive handling, prolonging surgical procedures and increasing risks associated with blood loss and transfusion complications.
Innovation Solution
A sewing cuff assembly with a stiffening ring that can be snap-fitted to a heart valve stent, minimizing handling and ensuring secure attachment with a low radial thickness and large blood flow orifice area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to couple sewing cuffs to heart valves, then secure attachment is achieved, but the process is labor-intensive and requires prolonged handling
Solution Approach 1:
The sewing cuff is divided into discrete modular components including a cuff body, stiffening ring, and attachment elements that can be pre-assembled and then quickly coupled to the valve. This segmentation enables rapid assembly by eliminating complex manual stitching procedures during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The sewing cuff components are pre-assembled and prepared before the surgical procedure. The stiffening ring and attachment mechanisms are pre-positioned on the cuff body, allowing for quick deployment and coupling to the heart valve during the surgical procedure, thereby reducing surgical time.
2Ease of manufacture
If repeated handling is performed during assembly, then coupling is achieved, but the heart valve becomes more susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-securing. The stiffening ring and attachment elements automatically position themselves and lock into place on the valve, eliminating the need for repeated manual handling and adjustment by surgeons or assembly workers.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical coupling methods requiring manual manipulation are replaced with a snap-fit or lock-and-key mechanism that provides automatic engagement. This substitution reduces handling complexity and minimizes the risk of damage during the coupling process.
3Strength
If conventional coupling methods are used, then attachment is achieved, but the radial thickness increases and blood flow orifice area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sewing cuff is constructed using thin-walled flexible materials that provide sufficient structural integrity and attachment strength while maintaining a minimal radial profile. The thin film construction allows the cuff to conform to the valve without significantly increasing radial thickness or obstructing the blood flow orifice.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing radial thickness to achieve secure attachment, the design transitions to a different dimensional approach by using circumferential distribution of attachment elements around the valve. The stiffening ring provides structural support in the circumferential direction while maintaining minimal radial protrusion, thereby preserving the blood flow orifice area.
Data Source
AI summary
A heart valve comprises a stent and a sewing cuff comprising a stiffening ring, wherein the stent and the stiffening ring are adapted to be snap-fitted. In one embodiment, the stent and the stiffening ring can together comprise one or more projections and one or more openings.