Valve Prosthesis with Radially Deformable Tubular Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heart valve prosthetics implanted via an endoluminal approach face challenges when the old prosthesis degenerates, as the carrier structure is sutured to the heart wall, making complete replacement difficult without major surgery, and deploying a new prosthetic valve inside a damaged old one is complex.
Innovation Solution
A valve prosthesis with a radially deformable tubular support and a flexible shutter that can be deployed within the annular carrier structure, allowing for easy interchange and deployment without major surgery, featuring a tubular support with a liquid-proof design, resilient properties, and a deformable shutter for efficient blood flow regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a new prosthetic valve is deployed inside an old damaged prosthesis via endoluminal approach, then major surgery is avoided, but the deployment becomes very difficult when the old prosthesis is severely damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The new prosthetic valve is nested within the old prosthesis structure, with the tubular support designed to be deployed inside the annular carrier structure. The shutter is contained within the tubular support, creating a nested configuration that allows the new valve to function within the existing implanted structure without requiring removal of the old prosthesis.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular support is designed with radial deformability, allowing it to transition between a compressed delivery state and an expanded deployed state. This dynamic property enables the support to be delivered through a catheter in a low-profile configuration and then self-expand to bear against the carrier structure, providing adaptability to varying deployment conditions even in damaged environments.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the carrier structure is sutured to the heart wall for secure implantation, then the prosthesis remains stable, but complete replacement requires major surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is segmented into distinct functional components: the annular carrier structure that remains implanted and sutured to the heart wall, and the interchangeable prosthetic valve (tubular support with shutter) that can be replaced independently. This segmentation allows the stable carrier to remain in place while the valve component is exchanged via endoluminal approach, avoiding the need for major surgery to replace the entire prosthesis.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows the valve component (tubular support with shutter) to be discarded when damaged and replaced with a new one, while the carrier structure is recovered and retained in the heart. The new valve is deployed inside the existing carrier, eliminating the need to remove and replace the entire sutured structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tubular support is made resilient and self-expanding, then deployment is simplified, but precise positioning and control during deployment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A delivery catheter serves as an intermediary device that guides and positions the compressed tubular support to the target location within the heart. The catheter provides mechanical support and directional control during delivery, allowing precise positioning of the self-expanding valve before deployment occurs. The wire-shaped member engaged in the catheter acts as another intermediary to push and control the deployment process.
4Device complexity
If the shutter is permanently secured to the carrier structure, then the prosthesis structure is simplified, but the valve cannot be replaced without major surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is segmented into distinct functional components: the annular carrier structure that remains implanted and sutured to the heart wall, and the interchangeable prosthetic valve (tubular support with shutter) that can be replaced independently. This segmentation allows the stable carrier to remain in place while the valve component is exchanged via endoluminal approach, avoiding the need for major surgery to replace the entire prosthesis.
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 periodic replacement of the prosthetic valve without major surgery, maintaining efficient blood flow and reducing the complexity of deploying new valves into damaged environments, thus minimizing surgical interventions and ensuring effective heart function.
Implementation Method 1
The tubular support is radially deformable relative to a main axis between a folded position for being put into place, and a deployed position implanted in the carrier structure
Implementation Method 2
Since the tubular support is resilient, it deploys immediately on its own when it is no longer compressed radially by the catheter
Data Source
AI summary
A valve prosthesis includes a flexible plug and an annular bearing reinforcement which is embodied such that it is radially rigid and surgically implantable in the area of a heart valve. The valve prosthesis is provided with an interchangeable prosthetic valve, is independent of the bearing reinforcement, endoluminally placeable and includes a tubular support which is radially deformable between a folded setting position and an unfolded position for implanting into a bearing structure and the flexible plug connected to a tubular support. The bearing reinforcement forms an annular support devoid of any plug capable of univocally limiting a blood flow circulation.