Optic Fiber Valve Delivery Assembly for Implantation Pressure Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing prosthetic heart valve implantation procedures lack real-time feedback on parameters such as pressure recovery, expansion diameter, and radial force exerted on surrounding tissue, which are crucial for ensuring proper valve functionality and implantation.

Innovation Solution

The use of optic fiber sensors integrated into prosthetic valve delivery assemblies to monitor pressure, pressure drop, expansion diameter, and radial force in real-time, providing accurate data for procedural decision-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If real-time monitoring of pressure, expansion diameter, and radial force is implemented during valve implantation, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of optic fiber sensors and data processing systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is segmented into distinct functional modules: optic fiber sensors embedded in the valve frame, signal processing units, and data display interfaces. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optic fiber sensor system serves multiple functions simultaneously: measuring pressure, expansion diameter, and radial force with a single integrated sensor platform. This multi-functionality improves measurement precision across multiple parameters while avoiding the complexity of separate measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If optic fiber sensors are integrated into the prosthetic valve delivery assembly, then information completeness about valve expansion and positioning is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional sensor integration and data management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Real-time feedback from optic fiber sensors provides continuous information about valve expansion diameter, positioning depth, and radial force. This feedback loop enables clinicians to make informed decisions during implantation while automated data processing reduces the operational burden of managing comprehensive measurement information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A data processing intermediary system automatically interprets raw sensor signals and presents processed, clinically relevant information to operators. This intermediary layer translates complex sensor data into actionable insights, maintaining information completeness while simplifying operator interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple optic fiber sensors are deployed to monitor pressure drop and pressure recovery across the valve, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple optic fiber sensors are nested within the valve frame structure, with sensors at different positions (inflow端, outflow端, intermediate positions) embedded during manufacturing. This nesting approach ensures reliable multi-point pressure measurements while integrating sensors into the existing valve manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Optic fiber sensors are pre-positioned and embedded in the valve frame during manufacturing before final assembly. This preliminary integration ensures proper sensor placement for reliable pressure and expansion measurements while simplifying the overall manufacturing process by combining sensor integration with valve fabrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary 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

Enables precise and effective implantation of prosthetic valves by ensuring proper expansion and positioning, reducing clinical complications through real-time monitoring of critical parameters.

Implementation Method 1

devices and assemblies equipped with optic fiber sensors for monitoring parameters during prosthetic valve implantation procedures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptic fiber sensing: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

monitor in real-time at least one of: a pressure within, or in the vicinity of, a prosthetic valve, pressure drop across the prosthetic valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement via optical means: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12564494B2Valves and delivery apparatuses equipped with optic fiber sensors

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for measuring expansion diameter, radial force exerted against surrounding tissue, and pressure recovery across prosthetic heart valves, during valve implantation procedures.