Steerable Tricuspid Valve Catheter Alignment Through Severe Atrial Angles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices face challenges in properly positioning and aligning repair devices with the tricuspid valve, particularly when approaching via the inferior vena cava, due to the difficulty in maneuvering the delivery system across severe angles within the right atrium without engaging the atrial wall or interfering with the valve.

Innovation Solution

A medical delivery system comprising an outer guide catheter with steerable deflection portions and an inner guide catheter with a steering mechanism, allowing precise alignment and deployment of an implantable fixation device at the tricuspid valve through the inferior vena cava, utilizing preformed curves and pull wires for precise catheter steering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a delivery system is used to access the tricuspid valve via the inferior vena cava, then minimally invasive repair is enabled, but the delivery system cannot properly align with the valve due to severe angles within the right atrium

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimally invasive accessVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system is divided into multiple steerable sections with independent deflection portions, allowing each segment to be controlled separately to navigate the complex anatomical path from the inferior vena cava to the tricuspid valve while maintaining proper alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter incorporates dynamic steering mechanisms with multiple deflection portions that can be adjusted in real-time during navigation, enabling the delivery system to adapt to the severe angles and curved path within the right atrium while maintaining alignment precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the delivery system is maneuvered across severe angles within the right atrium, then access to the tricuspid valve is achieved, but the atrial wall is engaged or the valve is interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidatrial wall engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the catheter have different properties - the distal end is made softer and more compliant to reduce engagement with the atrial wall, while proximal portions maintain sufficient stiffness for steering control, allowing safe navigation through severe angles without harmful contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The steerable catheter acts as an intermediary that can be precisely controlled to follow the anatomical path through the right atrium, allowing the operator to navigate severe angles while the catheter's flexible yet controllable structure prevents direct engagement with the atrial wall and interference with the valve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a simple catheter design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but steering precision and alignment capability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter structureVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is segmented into multiple steerable sections with independent control, allowing complex steering functionality to be achieved through modular components rather than a single complex mechanism, balancing capability with manageable complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter employs dynamic steering mechanisms that allow real-time adjustment of the catheter's shape and direction, providing precise alignment capability through controlled deflection of multiple portions rather than requiring a rigid, pre-formed complex structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 accurate and efficient tricuspid valve repair by facilitating the alignment and deployment of fixation devices, reducing the risk of atrial wall engagement and improving maneuverability for minimally invasive procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The outer guide catheter can include a first pull wire disposed within a first lumen of the outer guide catheter and extending through a first portion of the outer guide catheter wall. The outer guide catheter can include a second pull wire disposed within a second lumen of the outer guide catheter and extending through a second portion of the outer guide catheter wall.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS20260083446A1Devices And Systems For Accessing And Repairing A Heart Valve

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 EVALVE

AI summary

Medical delivery system for accessing a tricuspid valve via an inferior vena cava, including an outer guide catheter, an inner guide catheter and an interventional catheter. The first deflection portion of the outer guide catheter is steerable to define a first outer-guide-catheter curve and the second deflection portion of the outer guide catheter is steerable to define a second outer-guide-catheter curve and the first deflection portion of the inner guide catheter is steerable to define a first inner-guide-catheter curve.