Implantable Valve Prosthesis Catheter Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heart valve replacement surgeries are invasive and require significant time due to the need for suturing the replacement valve into position, which can cause stress on the valve leaflets and lead to complications such as perivalvular leak and migration.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible and expandable valve prosthesis system comprising a support stent with longitudinally rigid beams and a flexible conduit made of pliant material, which can be deployed via catheterization, minimizing the need for sutures and ensuring proper positioning within the valve sinuses to prevent backflow and maintain durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional suturing methods are used to implant replacement valves, then the valve can be securely positioned, but the surgery time is extended and stress is exerted on the valve leaflets
Solution Approach 1:
The support stent is divided into multiple individual support beams that can be independently positioned and engaged with the vessel wall. Each beam acts as a separate segment that can be deployed and secured independently, eliminating the need for continuous suturing while maintaining secure positioning of the entire valve assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The suturing process is completely removed from the implantation procedure. The invention extracts the time-consuming and stressful suturing step by designing a system where the support beams mechanically engage with the vessel wall through radial expansion, eliminating the need for surgical sutures to secure the valve in place.
2Reliability
If conventional suturing methods are used to implant replacement valves, then the valve can be securely positioned, but the complexity of the surgical procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support beams perform self-positioning and self-securing functions through their radial expansion mechanism. When deployed, the beams automatically engage with the vessel wall through their geometric design and elastic recovery, eliminating the need for complex manual suturing procedures and reducing surgical complexity while maintaining secure positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical suturing system is replaced with an automated mechanical expansion system. The support beams use elastic mechanical energy stored during compression to automatically expand and secure themselves to the vessel wall, replacing the complex manual suturing process with a simpler deployment mechanism.
3Reliability
If the valve is made highly durable to prevent perivalvular leak and migration, then the sealing performance improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support beams are designed as flexible elastic structures that can deform and conform to the vessel wall geometry. This flexibility allows the beams to create effective seals and prevent perivalvular leaks without requiring complex rigid sealing mechanisms, maintaining durability while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support beams utilize changes in mechanical parameters (radius, cross-sectional shape, thickness) along their length to achieve different functions. The varying parameters allow the same simple beam structure to provide both structural support and sealing functions, preventing migration and leaks without increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides valve prostheses adapted to be initially crimped in a narrow configuration suitable for catheterization through body ducts to a target location and adapted to be deployed by exerting substantially radial forces from within by means of a deployment device to a deployed state in the target location.