Expandable Valve Delivery Member for Controlled Lumen-Sparing Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for deploying prosthetic devices, such as stents and heart valves, often cause occlusion of the lumen during expansion, leading to complications and the need for rapid deployment without allowing for repositioning.

Innovation Solution

A delivery system using an elongate shaft with a radially expandable member that expands prosthetic devices through relative movement of its end portions, facilitated by mechanisms like screw mechanisms or wires, allowing for controlled expansion and retraction without occluding the lumen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a balloon is used to expand the prosthetic device, then the device can be deployed to the desired size, but the lumen is occluded during expansion causing complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment size controlVSAvoidlumen occlusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the balloon component from the deployment system entirely. Instead of using a balloon to expand the prosthetic device, the invention employs a self-expanding mechanism where the device expands automatically upon release from the delivery catheter, eliminating the source of lumen occlusion while maintaining controlled deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the balloon-based mechanical expansion system with a self-expanding mechanical mechanism. The prosthetic device incorporates internal springs or elastic elements that automatically expand the device to the desired size without requiring external balloon inflation, thereby avoiding lumen occlusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If rapid deployment is performed to avoid lumen occlusion complications, then deployment time is reduced, but repositioning capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment timeVSAvoidrepositioning capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic deployment process where the prosthetic device can be deployed at controlled speeds and repositioned if necessary. The self-expanding mechanism allows the device to be deployed gradually rather than rapidly, providing operational flexibility and repositioning capability while still maintaining relatively short deployment times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a staged or periodic deployment process where the device can be deployed in controlled increments, allowing for monitoring and adjustment during the deployment process. This periodic action enables repositioning capability while maintaining efficient deployment timing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Reduces lumen occlusion, permits slow and controlled deployment, allows for repositioning of prosthetic devices, and eliminates the need for pacing, simplifying the procedure and accommodating variations in patient anatomy.

Implementation Method 1

Movement of the distal end and proximal end portions from the first orientation to the second orientation can cause connecting members to expand radially outwards from a first configuration to a second configuration to expand the prosthetic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical compression to radial expansion transformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3912597B1Expandable member for deploying a prosthetic device

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORP

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a delivery system for delivering a prosthetic heart valve through the vasculature of a patient comprising: an elongate shaft having a distal end; a radially expandable member coupled to the distal end of the shaft; a prosthetic heart valve comprising one or more leaflets and a collapsible support structure; and a screw mechanism for expanding and/or collapsing the expandable member, which is configured to apply a longitudinal force to expand or collapse the expandable member. The radially expandable member comprises a plurality of connecting struts extending between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion of the radially expandable member, the distal end portion and proximal end portion being movable relative to one another between a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation the distal end and proximal end portions are a first distance apart, and in the second orientation the distal end and proximal end portions are a second distance apart, the second distance being less than the first distance. Movement of the distal end and proximal end portions from the first orientation to the second orientation causes the connecting struts to expand radially outwards from a first configuration to a second configuration. The collapsible support structure comprises a generally cylindrical expandable framework of frame members, the frame members being connected to the connecting struts at attachment areas. The screw mechanism includes a screw member that extends between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion, and rotation of the screw member causes the distal end and proximal end portions to move from the first to the second orientation. The expandable member is expandable by actuating an external mechanism, which causes the screw mechanism to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the expandable member.