Spring-Biased Leaflet Clamp for Transluminal Chordae Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating mitral valve disease, such as invasive surgical interventions and valve replacements, are risky and do not effectively address damaged chordae tendineae, necessitating transluminal solutions for heart valve repair.
Innovation Solution
A clamp system with spring-biased arms for clamping a heart valve leaflet, allowing for the attachment of artificial chordae tendineae, which can be delivered transluminally and securely engage with the leaflet without causing significant tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive surgical intervention is used to repair mitral valve disease, then the surgeon can directly view and repair the valve, but the patient faces risky surgery requiring opening into the chest and heart chamber
Solution Approach 1:
A catheter serves as an intermediary device to deliver the clamp and artificial chordae tendineae to the mitral valve through a transluminal approach (e.g., through the femoral vein and into the left atrium), avoiding the need for open chest surgery while still enabling direct repair of the valve
2Reliability
If resection and repair of leaflets with surgical ring implantation is performed, then the mitral annulus diameter is reduced to allow proper leaflet coaptation, but the technique is complex and does not repair damaged chordae tendineae
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the specific function of chordae tendineae repair from the complex overall valve repair procedure. By separately delivering and implanting artificial chordae tendineae through a simplified transluminal approach, the complex annulus reduction and leaflet repair steps are separated from the chordae replacement, reducing overall procedural complexity while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The repair procedure is segmented into separate deliverable components: the clamp for securing the leaflet, the artificial chordae tendineae themselves, and the anchoring mechanism. Each component can be independently delivered and implanted through the catheter, simplifying the overall procedure compared to traditional single-step surgical repair
3Object-affected harmful factors
If transluminal delivery of artificial chordae tendineae is implemented, then surgical risk is reduced, but a method is needed to securely attach the artificial chordae to the leaflet
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp features localized protrusions with barbs that concentrate the attachment function at specific points on the leaflet tissue. This localized engagement provides secure attachment without requiring complex mechanisms across the entire device, enabling reliable fixation while maintaining a simple overall structure that can be delivered transluminally
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 secure attachment of artificial chordae tendineae to heart valve leaflets, providing a durable solution for mitral valve disease by reducing regurgitation and improving heart function.
Implementation Method 1
A spring portion may be coupled to the plurality of arms at a second end. The spring portion may be configured to bias the arms to the closed configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices for clamping a leaflet of a heart valve. In particular, the present disclosure relates to medical devices, systems, and methods for delivering artificial chordae tendineae in a patient. In an embodiment, a system may include a clamp having a plurality of arms at a first end. The plurality of arms may have a closed configuration in which the arms are oriented toward each other, and an open configuration in which the arms are oriented away from each other. A spring portion may be coupled to the plurality of arms at a second end that is configured to bias the arms to the closed configuration. The arms of the clamp may be configured to fixedly engage with a leaflet of the heart valve. The second end of the clamp may be configured to couple to an artificial chordae tendineae.