Prosthetic Valve Leaflet Crimping Accessory for Smaller Crimp Diameters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crimping processes for prosthetic valves often cause damage to the leaflets and result in void spaces, limiting the crimp diameter and compromising the integrity of the device during deployment.

Innovation Solution

A crimping accessory that facilitates the folding of prosthetic valve leaflets during crimping, using wires or coatings to minimize damage and reduce void spaces, with optional features like handle portions and leaflet engagement members to control the folding process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the frame thickness and size are reduced to achieve smaller crimp diameter, then the crimp diameter is reduced allowing insertion into smaller blood vessels, but the strength of the cardiovascular device after expansion is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrimp diameterVSAvoidframe strength after expansion

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The crimping accessory is inserted into the prosthetic valve before crimping to pre-fold the leaflets into a compact configuration. This preliminary action reduces the volume and void spaces within the valve structure, enabling the frame to be crimped to a smaller diameter without compromising the structural integrity or strength of the device after expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional crimping processes are used, then the crimping process is simple, but damage to the leaflets occurs and void spaces are created

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrimping process simplicityVSAvoidleaflet integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A crimping accessory serves as an intermediary tool between the crimping device and the prosthetic valve leaflets. The accessory includes engagement members that gently grasp and fold the leaflets during crimping, preventing direct damage while maintaining control over the folding process. This intermediary mechanism protects the leaflets from damage and eliminates void spaces without significantly complicating the overall crimping process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the crimp diameter is reduced to minimize damage to blood vessel, then vascular trauma is reduced, but the device cannot be inserted into smaller diameter blood vessels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood vessel damageVSAvoidability to insert into smaller vessels

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The crimping accessory is positioned within the prosthetic valve before crimping to pre-compress and fold the leaflets into a compact configuration. This preliminary action significantly reduces the final crimped diameter of the valve, enabling the device to be inserted into smaller diameter blood vessels while minimizing trauma to the vascular tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260047922A1Crimping accessory for valve leaflets

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 MIRUS LLC

AI summary

A device and method of inhibiting and preventing damage to leaflets during the crimping of a prosthetic valve, and/or facilitating the folding of the leaflets during the crimping of a prosthetic valve.