Stented Prosthetic Valve with Detached Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional prosthetic valves often require anticoagulant treatment, are noisy, and have issues with blood flow turbulence and thrombosis due to their design, where the valve membrane is directly connected to a support frame, limiting smooth blood flow and creating areas of low flow that can lead to contamination and thrombosis.
Innovation Solution
A stented prosthetic valve with a flexible membrane that collapses to allow blood flow around it, using a combination of membrane elasticity and additional elastic elements, with a support frame that can be placed using balloon expansion or self-expansion techniques, and incorporating a one-way valve for flushing to prevent contamination, and reinforced with high-strength fibers for improved durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve membrane is directly connected to the support frame, then the valve structure is stable and easy to manufacture, but the blood flow becomes turbulent and creates dead zones leading to thrombosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support frame into two distinct parts: a stent portion that provides structural support and anchoring, and a separate valve membrane that is not directly attached to the stent. This segmentation allows the valve membrane to move freely without being constrained by the stent structure, eliminating dead zones and improving blood flow patterns while maintaining structural stability through the stent's framework.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the valve membrane is directly connected to the support frame, then the valve maintains its position, but the flow path is blocked and side lumens may be covered
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the stent and valve membrane into independent components, the stent can provide positional stability and anchoring in the duct while the valve membrane remains unattached and allows unobstructed blood flow. The stent framework maintains the valve's position without the membrane needing direct attachment, thus preserving side lumen access and preventing flow path blockage.
3Strength
If the valve membrane is directly connected to the support frame, then the valve is structurally sound, but zones with insufficient blood flow are created causing contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates structural integrity through the stent framework rather than through direct membrane-to-stent attachment. This allows the valve membrane to remain detached and move freely with blood flow, eliminating stagnant zones where contamination and thrombosis could occur, while the stent provides the necessary structural support and anchoring.
4Ease of operation
If a balloon expandable stent is used with the valve inside, then the valve can be delivered via catheter, but the insertion profile increases and crimping forces may damage the membrane
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the valve membrane from the stent structure, the patent allows independent crimping and expansion of the stent without subjecting the delicate membrane to damaging forces. The membrane can be positioned within the stent framework without being compressed during delivery, reducing the risk of membrane damage while maintaining catheter delivery capability through proper stent-crater design.
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 enhances blood flow efficiency, reduces thrombosis risk, and maintains valve cleanliness by allowing blood to flow around the valve, minimizing turbulence and contamination, while also reducing structural fatigue and the need for anticoagulants.
Implementation Method 1
The valve can be made to open and close by means of a combination of pressure, elasticity of the membrane itself and elasticity of additional elements connected thereto
Implementation Method 2
a support frame that can be placed using balloon expansion or self-expansion techniques
Data Source
AI summary
A stented valve suitable for use in body ducts. The valve includes an expandable support structure and an attached flexible membrane that changes shape when the valve opens and closes. The expandable support structure has the shape of a stent with a series of interconnected expandable unit cells and elongated support beams. When the valve is open, body fluid can flow around the membrane and pass through the gap between it and the inner stent surface. In one configuration, a set of two valves is combined with an intermediate inflatable balloon to create a cardiac assist pumping device. In another embodiment, valve closure can be achieved by remotely controlled valve leaflets actuation. A double aorta valve frame is used to accommodate shape and diameter variations of the annulus in an outer valve frame, while the inner valve frame has dimensions for optimized performance of the valve membrane.