Prosthetic Valve Crimping Funnel for Fast Aligned Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a challenge in crimping self-expandable prosthetic valves for easy and quick loading into a delivery apparatus while aligning and connecting the connection features with the delivery apparatus, which is not efficiently addressed by existing crimping devices.
Innovation Solution
A crimping device with a housing and actuator that compresses the prosthetic valve radially through a funnel segment and pusher member, allowing axial movement and alignment of the valve for efficient crimping and loading onto a delivery apparatus, featuring a rotatable actuator and pusher member with ribs and an annular groove for precise compression and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional crimping devices use static conical tubes or crimping jaws, then crimping of self-expandable prosthetic valves is achieved, but the alignment and connection of connection features with delivery apparatus becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping device employs a dynamic conical tube that can change its diameter and shape during the crimping process, allowing it to adapt to the prosthetic valve's connection features and automatically align them with the delivery apparatus, eliminating manual alignment time
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-alignment through its conical geometry and mechanical design, where the prosthetic valve's connection features automatically mate with the delivery apparatus during the crimping action itself, making the alignment process self-service and eliminating separate alignment steps
2Adaptability or versatility
If disposable crimping devices are shipped with each valve and delivery system, then portability is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping device integrates multiple functions (crimping, alignment, and connection) into a single unified disposable unit, combining what would otherwise be separate operations into one integrated component that simplifies overall system complexity while maintaining portability
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 efficient, one-person operation for crimping and loading of prosthetic valves, ensuring precise alignment and compression, facilitating the delivery of self-expandable prosthetic valves into a patient's body.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator rotatably coupled to the housing, wherein rotation of the actuator relative to the housing causes the prosthetic valve to move axially through the funnel segment
Implementation Method 2
at least a portion of the prosthetic valve compresses radially by engagement with the funnel segment
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of a crimping device for crimping a radially expandable and compressible prosthetic valve are disclosed. A crimping device can comprise a housing configured to receive a prosthetic valve in a radially expanded state. The housing member can include a funnel segment and an outlet in communication with the funnel segment. The crimping device can further comprise an actuator rotatably coupled to the housing, wherein rotation of the actuator relative to the housing causes the prosthetic valve to move axially through the funnel segment such that at least a portion of the prosthetic valve compresses radially by engagement with the funnel segment and exits the crimping device via the outlet.