Transcatheter Mitral Valve Clip Excision Before Valve Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for removing mitral valve clips are limited, requiring open surgery and often fail to achieve satisfactory MR reduction, and subsequent transcatheter procedures are hindered by the presence of existing clips.

Innovation Solution

Transcatheter tools and procedures using capture and transfer catheters with cutting members to excise mitral valve clips from native leaflet tissue, allowing for future transcatheter interventions by separating the clips from the leaflets or completely removing them.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mitral valve clip is implanted to treat mitral regurgitation, then MR reduction is achieved, but the clip interferes with subsequent transcatheter valve replacement procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMR reduction efficacyVSAvoidcompatibility with subsequent transcatheter procedures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting member is used to excise the mitral valve clip from the native valve tissue, completely removing the interfering element to enable subsequent transcatheter valve replacement procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The clip excision is performed as a preliminary step before implanting the transcatheter mitral valve, ensuring the valve orifice is clear of obstructions that would prevent proper deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of repair

If open surgical excision is used to remove a mitral valve clip, then complete removal is achieved, but the procedure requires open surgery with high morbidity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclip removal capabilityVSAvoidsurgical invasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical cutting action is delivered through a catheter-based system rather than open surgical instruments, replacing the need for surgical exposure with a percutaneous approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting member acts as an intermediary tool delivered through the transfer catheter, enabling clip excision without direct surgical access to the heart

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If another mitral valve clip is placed to treat recurrent MR, then additional MR reduction is attempted, but mitral stenosis may be created due to valve narrowing

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMR treatment efficacyVSAvoidmitral stenosis risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding another clip that would further narrow the valve, the interfering clip is excised to restore the native valve orifice and prevent stenosis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than attempting to treat recurrent MR by adding more clips (which worsens stenosis risk), the approach is inverted by removing the existing clip to restore valve function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 the restoration of the native valve orifice, facilitating subsequent transcatheter valve repair or replacement procedures without the need for open surgery.

Implementation Method 1

Utilizing mechanical cutting or abrasion, or radiofrequency energy, the mitral valve clips may be excised from either the anterior or posterior leaflets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical cutting:

Implementation Method 2

Utilizing mechanical cutting or abrasion, or radiofrequency energy, the mitral valve clips may be excised from either the anterior or posterior leaflets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 3

Utilizing mechanical cutting or abrasion, or radiofrequency energy, the mitral valve clips may be excised from either the anterior or posterior leaflets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiofrequency energy:

Implementation Method 4

Utilizing mechanical cutting or abrasion, or radiofrequency energy, the mitral valve clips may be excised from either the anterior or posterior leaflets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAblation: Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS12408917B2Methods and devices for valve clip excision

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 EVALVE

AI summary

A system for excising an implanted clip approximating opposed valve leaflets in a heart valve includes a capture catheter configured to be introduced proximate the valve leaflets on one side of the clip, a transfer catheter configured to be introduced proximate the valve leaflets on another side of the clip, and a cutting tool configured to be deployed between the capture and transfer catheters and to be engaged against tissue of at least one of the valve leaflets and to excise the clip. A removal catheter may optionally be used to remove the clip from the heart.