Steerable Cardiac Valve Delivery Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for delivering cardiac valve prostheses using minimally-invasive techniques face challenges in precisely positioning and orienting the valve prosthesis during implantation, particularly in navigating through complex anatomical structures while minimizing mechanical stress on heart tissues.
Innovation Solution
A device with a distal valve holder and a shaft that is selectively bendable and equipped with a deployment mechanism, allowing for precise axial translation and spatial orientation of the valve prosthesis, including a steerable shaft with a flexible core and a micrometric actuation system for controlled expansion and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid shaft is used for delivering the valve prosthesis, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to navigate complex anatomical structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is designed with a flexible core that allows dynamic bending and steering to adapt to complex anatomical structures, while the distal valve holder portion remains relatively rigid to maintain structural stability during valve deployment. This dynamic flexibility enables the delivery device to navigate tortuous vascular paths while preserving the ability to securely position and deploy the valve prosthesis at the target site.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shaft is made highly flexible to navigate anatomical structures, then adaptability is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device shaft is segmented into distinct functional zones: a flexible proximal section that can bend and steer to navigate anatomical structures, and a rigid distal section that provides stable, precise positioning for valve deployment. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize its function - the flexible proximal shaft adapts to the vascular anatomy while the rigid distal shaft ensures accurate positioning and orientation of the valve prosthesis at the implantation site.
3Measurement precision
If a complex deployment mechanism is used for precise valve positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment mechanism employs a nested structure where the valve prosthesis is contained within the distal valve holder portion, which itself is integrated with the shaft assembly. This nested configuration allows for precise positioning through a relatively simple mechanism - the valve is deployed by expanding it from its compressed state within the holder, providing accurate positioning without requiring complex actuation systems.
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 precise and controlled deployment of cardiac valve prostheses, minimizing mechanical stress and ensuring accurate alignment with the implantation site, facilitating reliable and efficient valve placement.
Implementation Method 1
The shaft is selectively bendable to a curved shape to selectively vary the spatial orientation of the valve holder portion with respect to the implantation site
Data Source
AI summary
A device for deploying a cardiac valve prosthesis includes a distal valve holder portion and a shaft extending towards the valve holder portion. The shaft is selectively bendable to a curved shape to vary the spatial orientation of the valve holder portion with respect to the desired implantation site.