Assembly-Type Tricuspid Valve Blocking Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices for treating tricuspid regurgitation face challenges in maintaining the centerline orientation of the tricuspid valve orifice and are affected by diaphragmatic movement during breathing, leading to unstable blocking part positioning and adverse effects on valve function.

Innovation Solution

An assembly-type device that passes through the inferior vena cava, tricuspid valve, and pulmonary artery, featuring a screw-thread engagement system, elastic components, and adjustable blocking parts, including a supporting wire and blocking membrane, to ensure stable and precise positioning of the blocking part within the tricuspid valve orifice.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the blocking part is passed through the centerline of the orifice with longitudinal orientation, then the device structure is simple, but the blocking part becomes unstable and deviates from the centerline due to diaphragm movement during breathing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidblocking part stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple assemblies (first assembly, second assembly, third assembly) that can be independently positioned and adjusted. The blocking part is segmented into a blocking member and a positioning member, allowing independent adjustment of blocking function and positioning function to maintain centerline orientation stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates adjustable and rotatable components that allow dynamic repositioning of the blocking part. The second assembly can rotate around the longitudinal axis to adjust the blocking part's orientation, and the third assembly can be repositioned along the longitudinal direction to maintain centerline alignment despite diaphragm movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the blocking part is obliquely passed through the orifice connecting coronary sinus and ventricular septum, then the blocking part is stably positioned, but the treatment procedure becomes relatively difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblocking part stabilityVSAvoidtreatment procedure difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device introduces intermediate structures (first assembly in superior vena cava, second assembly in right ventricle, third assembly in right atrium) that mediate the positioning process. These assemblies serve as stepping stones to guide the blocking part through the orifice without requiring direct complex manipulation of the coronary sinus and ventricular septum connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs a nested structure where the blocking member is contained within the positioning member, which is in turn contained within the connecting tube. This nested arrangement allows the blocking part to be delivered through a simplified path while maintaining the stable oblique positioning configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Strength

If the device is fixed to the ventricle and outside the heart, then the fixing is stable, but the device moves up and down with diaphragm movement during breathing, causing blocking part deviation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing stabilityVSAvoidblocking part position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device transitions from a static fixed configuration to a dynamic adjustable configuration. The second assembly can rotate around the longitudinal axis, and the third assembly can be repositioned along the longitudinal direction, allowing the blocking part to dynamically maintain centerline orientation despite diaphragm-induced movements of the heart

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows changes in positional parameters (rotation angle of second assembly, longitudinal position of third assembly) to compensate for heart movement. By adjusting these parameters, the blocking part maintains accurate centerline alignment even as the heart position changes during breathing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device efficiently treats tricuspid regurgitation with minimal interaction with chordae tendineae or papillary muscles, providing a non-invasive method with short treatment time and precise customization for each patient, maintaining effective valve function by stabilizing the blocking part's position despite diaphragmatic movement.

Implementation Method 1

a screw thread may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of the first assembly, and a screw thread corresponding to the screw thread of the first assembly may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the second assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew-thread mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

one end of the supporting wire may be coupled to the lower end of the connecting tube, and the other end of the supporting wire may be coupled to a lower end of the blocking membrane, and a lower part of the blocking membrane may be formed in a shape rounded upwardly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3682853B1Assembly-type device for treatment of tricuspid regurgitation
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 TAU MEDICAL INC
  • EP3682853B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3682853B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3682853B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An assembly-type device for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation is proposed. The assembly-type device includes: a fixing member for the pulmonary artery, the fixing member installed in the pulmonary artery; a connecting tube provided with a connecting tube lumen formed therein to be movable along a connecting wire; an assembly part provided with a first assembly coupled to a lower end of the fixing member for the pulmonary artery and a second assembly coupled to an upper end of the connecting tube, wherein the fixing member for the pulmonary artery and the connecting tube are assembled together; a fixing member for inferior vena cava, the fixing member coupled to a lower end of the connecting tube and installed in the inferior vena cava; and a blocking part coupled to one side of the connecting tube and obliquely passing through a tricuspid valve to block an orifice of the tricuspid valve.