Transcatheter Valve Prosthesis with Motion Buffer and Fabric Covering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heart valve diseases result in abnormal leaflet tissue and tissue position, leading to valve dysfunction such as leakage or resistance to blood flow, necessitating effective replacement solutions.
Innovation Solution
A transcatheter valve prosthesis with a radially self-expandable tubular body, featuring a mesh-like structure with struts made from superalloys or Nitinol, and a fabric covering that expands and contracts with the tubular body to provide functional replacement of native heart valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve prosthesis is designed with a larger frame size to improve sealing and durability, then reliability is improved, but the delivery profile size increases making the procedure less minimally invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The valve prosthesis is nested within a delivery catheter in a compressed state, allowing the larger frame to be delivered through a smaller access pathway. The prosthesis is contained within the catheter body, enabling minimally invasive delivery while maintaining the ability to expand to full size at the implantation site.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve prosthesis transitions from a compressed dynamic state during delivery to an expanded static state at implantation. The frame is designed to be compressible for delivery and then expandable to provide adequate sealing and structural support once deployed in the heart valve position.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the valve prosthesis frame is made more rigid to improve structural stability, then reliability is improved, but the ability to compress for delivery is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve prosthesis frame utilizes a mesh-like structure composed of flexible struts that can bend and compress during delivery. This flexible yet structurally stable design allows the frame to be compressed within the delivery catheter while maintaining adequate structural integrity when expanded at the implantation site.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is constructed from composite or alloy materials that provide both flexibility for compression and structural stability when expanded. The material properties are engineered to allow reversible deformation during delivery while maintaining rigid structural support in the deployed configuration.
3Reliability
If the valve prosthesis is designed to fully replace native valve functions, then reliability is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve prosthesis is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously provides structural support, sealing, and valve function. The single integrated structure performs multiple functions: the frame provides structural stability, the fabric covering provides sealing against the annulus, and the valve leaflets provide bidirectional flow control, eliminating the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a single integrated prosthesis structure. The frame, fabric covering, and valve leaflets are combined into one device that is delivered and deployed as a unit, simplifying the overall system while providing complete valve replacement functionality.
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
The transcatheter valve prosthesis effectively replaces native heart valves, restoring normal valve function with improved sealing and durability, and allows for a smaller delivery profile due to increased compression capability.
Implementation Method 1
a radially, self-expandable tubular body (5) having an inflow end (10) and an outflow end (15)
Implementation Method 2
allows for a smaller delivery profile due to increased compression capability
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4A
AI summary
A heart valve system, the system including a radially self-expandable tubular body, a valve, and a tubular fabric. The tubular body having an inflow end and an outflow end and including a plurality of struts with at least one motion buffer component integrated in the tubular body. The valve being coupled to the tubular body and including a plurality of valve leaflets. The fabric being disposed over an outer surface of the tubular body and over an outer surface of the motion buffer component. Additionally, when the outflow end of the tubular body moves radially inward from movement of the valve leaflets, the motion buffer component being configured so as to not move radially inward with the outflow end of the tubular body.