Heart Valve Leaflet Clasp Indicators for Secure Mitral Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transvascular techniques for repairing damaged heart valves, such as the mitral valve, face challenges in accurately positioning and securing prosthetic devices due to the complex anatomy of the heart valves, leading to potential regurgitation issues.
Innovation Solution
A heart valve treatment device/system featuring a clasp with an indicator mechanism that adjusts its position or shape to ensure proper insertion and securement of valve leaflets, utilizing components like clasps, paddles, and indicators to achieve optimal positioning and thickness detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a clasp is used to engage the valve leaflet during minimally invasive procedures, then the procedure becomes less invasive than open heart surgery, but it becomes difficult to determine if the leaflet is sufficiently engaged due to the translucent nature of leaflet tissue and its movement with each heart beat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates radiopaque markers or indicators that change visibility from translucent/transparent to radiopaque when the clasp engages the leaflet. This allows real-time visualization of engagement status during the procedure, solving the detection difficulty while maintaining minimally invasive approach
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary indicator system (such as radiopaque markers, color-changing materials, or optical indicators) between the clasp and the leaflet tissue. This intermediary makes the engagement status visible and detectable, allowing the surgeon to confirm proper leaflet capture without increasing invasiveness
2Reliability
If the clasp is designed to securely engage the leaflet, then fixation reliability improves, but the complexity of ensuring proper insertion depth and thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms in the form of indicators (radiopaque markers, color changes, or mechanical indicators) that provide real-time feedback to the surgeon during the procedure. This feedback system shows whether the leaflet is properly engaged at the correct depth and thickness, simplifying the complexity by providing clear guidance rather than requiring complex measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement and verification systems with simpler visual indicators. Instead of using complex mechanical depth gauges or measurement devices, the invention uses radiopaque markers, color-changing materials, or optical indicators that provide engagement status through visual feedback, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
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 ensures precise placement and securement of prosthetic devices, reducing the risk of regurgitation by providing visual and tactile feedback on leaflet insertion depth and thickness, enhancing the effectiveness of minimally invasive heart valve repairs.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable indicator configured to change shape in response to engagement with the valve leaflet
Implementation Method 2
a radiopaque marker configured to be detectable by a detection system
Data Source
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AI summary
Valve repair devices and systems configured to detect proper valve leaflet insertion. The valve repair device can have an indicator that moves, is positioned, or otherwise changes in response to engagement with the valve leaflet. When the indicator indicates that the valve leaflet is properly positioned in the valve repair device, the valve repair device is closed.