Transcatheter Heart Valve Frame with Access Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transcatheter aortic valve prostheses do not adequately provide access to coronary arteries for percutaneous coronary intervention post-implantation and may cause conduction disturbances, leading to increased rates of permanent pacemaker implantation.
Innovation Solution
A transcatheter aortic valve prosthesis with a frame design that includes a plurality of struts, crowns, commissure posts, first cells, and access cells, where the access cells are enlarged to facilitate alignment with coronary artery ostia and reduce crimp strains, thereby improving access and reducing conduction disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the frame design uses a standard cell structure, then the manufacturing is simple, but the access to coronary arteries is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into different cell types: standard cells for structural support and access cells with enlarged openings for coronary artery access. This segmentation allows different portions of the frame to serve different functions, resolving the contradiction between simple manufacturing and improved coronary access.
Solution Approach 2:
Specific cells are designed with enlarged openings at strategic locations to provide access to coronary arteries, while other cells maintain standard dimensions for structural integrity. This local modification approach improves coronary access without requiring complete redesign of the entire frame structure.
2Reliability
If the frame uses uniformly thick struts, then the manufacturing is straightforward, but the conduction disturbances occur
Solution Approach 1:
Struts are designed with varying thicknesses: thicker struts in regions away from the conduction system for structural strength, and thinner struts in regions adjacent to the conduction system to minimize interference with electrical conduction. This localized variation reduces conduction disturbances while maintaining overall frame reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame struts are segmented into different thickness zones based on their spatial relationship to the conduction system, allowing differential design optimization for both structural and electrical performance.
3Ease of operation
If the access cells are enlarged, then the coronary artery access is improved, but the radial stiffness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into access cells with enlarged openings for coronary access and other cells with standard dimensions that maintain radial stiffness. This segmentation allows the structure to provide both improved access and adequate structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
Enlarged cell openings are implemented only at specific locations where coronary artery access is needed, while other portions of the frame maintain standard cell dimensions to preserve overall radial stiffness and structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
Transcatheter aortic valve prostheses for improving the cardiac function of a patient suffering from coronary artery disease. Transcatheter aortic valve prostheses include a valve component and a frame. The valve component includes valve leaflets and a skirt. The frame includes access cells that improve access to a patient's coronary arteries if further intervention is required and/or includes a window or conduction protection cell that is oriented to align with a portion of conduction system of the heart in situ to reduce conduction disturbances of the anatomy. Suture patterns for attaching a commissure to a commissure post of the frame, and for attaching a tissue bumper to the commissure post, are also described.