Tricuspid Valve Clip Positioning for Moving Leaflet Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tricuspid valve regurgitation, often caused by structural deformations or defects, leads to blood backflow, which existing treatments like valve replacement or repair face challenges in deployment and effectiveness, especially in dynamic cardiac environments, and some patients are unsuitable for invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
An interventional clip device with rotatable distal and proximal elements, adjustable tines, and a delivery system with a support structure for precise positioning, allowing for minimally invasive tricuspid valve repair by grasping and fixing leaflets to prevent regurgitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If valve replacement procedure is performed, then tricuspid valve regurgitation is treated, but natural valve tissues are removed or rendered inoperable and procedure is not suitable for patients with pacemaker leads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a clip device as an intermediary solution that repairs the tricuspid valve without requiring complete valve replacement. This mediator approach allows treatment of regurgitation while preserving natural valve tissues and accommodating patients with pacemaker leads who cannot undergo standard replacement procedures
2Reliability
If interventional repair procedure is performed, then tricuspid valve is repaired, but proper positioning and alignment of repair device is difficult due to continuous movement of valve leaflets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a delivery system with catheter and control mechanisms that can dynamically adapt to the moving valve leaflets. The system allows real-time adjustment of the clip device position and orientation during the cardiac cycle, enabling proper alignment despite continuous leaflet movement
3Reliability
If traditional valve replacement is performed, then regurgitation is prevented, but drastic measures remove natural valve tissues
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of removing the entire valve as in traditional replacement, the patent extracts only the problematic regurgitant portion and repairs it in place using the clip device. This selective extraction approach prevents regurgitation while preserving the majority of natural valve tissues
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for use in a cardiac valve repair procedure, particularly a tricuspid valve repair procedure. An interventional clip device includes a pair of distal elements rotatably joined to a coupling member, and a pair of proximal elements resiliently biased toward the distal elements to grasp tissue therebetween. The proximal elements include a plurality of adjustable tines moveable between a retracted configuration and an open configuration to avoid damage to tissue prior to engagement while allowing tines to enhance gripping to targeted tissue when open. A delivery system enables delivery of an interventional clip to a targeted cardiac valve, and includes a support structure for maintaining position relative to the cardiac valve.