Valve Delivery System with Expandable Displacement Component for Chordae Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The delivery of valve prostheses to the mitral valve is challenging due to the presence of chordae tendineae, which can entangle with the valve delivery system, restricting movement and preventing accurate alignment and deployment of the valve prosthesis.

Innovation Solution

A valve delivery system with a radially expandable displacement component is introduced through the ventricular wall of the heart. The displacement component is expanded to push chordae tendineae radially outward, creating a clear pathway for the valve delivery system to deploy the valve prosthesis at the native valve annulus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a valve delivery system is advanced through the ventricle to deliver a valve prosthesis, then the valve prosthesis can be deployed at the native valve annulus, but the chordae tendineae may entangle with the delivery system, restricting movement and preventing accurate alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement of valve delivery systemVSAvoidentanglement with chordae tendineae

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chordae tendineae are extracted or removed from the delivery pathway by cutting or severing them before valve prosthesis delivery. This eliminates the entanglement problem by removing the harmful chords that would otherwise obstruct the delivery system's movement and alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Preliminary action is taken to cut or sever the chordae tendineae before the valve delivery system is advanced. This preliminary anti-action prevents the subsequent entanglement that would occur if the chords were left intact, allowing smooth delivery and accurate alignment of the valve prosthesis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Measurement precision

If the valve delivery system is advanced through the ventricle, then the valve prosthesis can be positioned at the annulus, but the chordae tendineae obstruct the delivery pathway and prevent accurate alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment of valve prosthesisVSAvoidobstruction by chordae tendineae

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The obstructing chordae tendineae are extracted or removed from the delivery pathway through cutting or severing. This elimination of obstruction enables the valve delivery system to achieve accurate alignment with the native valve annulus without interference from the chords.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The chordae tendineae are cut or severed in advance before the valve delivery system attempts alignment. This preliminary action prevents the obstruction that would otherwise compromise the precision of valve prosthesis alignment at the annulus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Speed

If the valve delivery system is advanced through the ventricle, then the valve prosthesis can be deployed, but the chordae tendineae restrict movement of the delivery system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadvancement of valve delivery systemVSAvoidrestriction by chordae tendineae

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chordae tendineae are extracted or removed from the ventricle by cutting or severing them. This removal eliminates the restriction that would otherwise impede the advancement speed of the valve delivery system through the ventricle toward the native valve annulus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The chordae tendineae are cut or severed before the valve delivery system is advanced. This preliminary anti-action prevents the restriction that would slow down or halt the movement of the delivery system, enabling smooth and timely delivery of the valve prosthesis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3538024B1Valve delivery system having an integral displacement component for managing chordae tendineae in situ

Publication Date: 2025.02.19 MEDTRONIC VASCULAR INC

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AI summary

Embodiments hereof relate to methods of delivering a valve prosthesis to an annulus of a native valve of a heart. A valve delivery system is introduced into a ventricle of the heart via a ventricular wall of the heart. The valve delivery system has a displacement component (1830) at the distal portion thereof. The valve prosthesis (101) is in a delivery configuration and the displacement component is in a delivery state in which the displacement component has a first outer diameter. While the valve prosthesis is in the delivery configuration, the displacement component of the valve delivery system is radially expanded into an expanded state in which the displacement component has a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter. The valve delivery system is advanced towards the annulus of the native valve of the heart with the displacement component in the expanded state to displace chordae tendineae.