Valve Repair Device Spacer Element Mitral Regurgitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for treating mitral regurgitation, such as surgical stitching and catheter-delivered clips, are inadequate as they can only address specific types of valve damage and often create stress on the patient's leaflets, leading to complications.

Innovation Solution

A valve repair device comprising a pair of paddles, gripping members, and a spacer element, designed to attach to the native valve and close gaps between the valve leaflets, thereby preventing regurgitation without causing excessive stress on the valve tissue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical stitching or catheter-delivered clips are used to treat mitral regurgitation, then valve damage can be addressed, but stress is created on the patient's leaflets leading to complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve repair effectivenessVSAvoidstress on leaflets

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a spacer element as an intermediary component between the valve leaflets. This spacer element closes gaps without directly stressing the leaflets, instead using a flexible cord mechanism that distributes force more evenly across the valve tissue, thereby preventing the harmful stress concentration caused by traditional clips and stitches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the repair device by using a flexible cord instead of rigid clips or stitches. This flexibility allows the device to adapt to leaflet movement while maintaining the gap-closing function, reducing stress on the tissue and improving overall reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing repair techniques are used, then specific types of valve damage can be treated, but they are inadequate for various types of valve damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability to different valve damage typesVSAvoidrepair effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal repair device that can address multiple types of valve damage including gap closure, leaflet coaptation, and annular support. The combination of the spacer element, flexible cord, and delivery mechanism provides a multi-functional solution that adapts to different damage patterns, improving both versatility and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If open heart surgery is performed for valve repair, then comprehensive valve treatment is achieved, but the procedure is highly invasive with many complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve repair completenessVSAvoidinvasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical open heart surgery approach with a transcatheter delivery system. The device is delivered through a catheter inserted via the femoral vein, eliminating the need for thoracic incisions and direct surgical access to the heart, thereby reducing invasiveness while maintaining repair effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter serves as an intermediary delivery mechanism that allows the repair device to reach the valve through the vascular system rather than requiring direct surgical access. This intermediary approach enables comprehensive valve treatment without the invasiveness of open heart surgery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250152361A1Native valve repair devices and procedures

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORP

AI summary

Valve repair devices and valve repair systems for repairing a native valve of a patient are configured to reduce a gap in the native valve of the patient when the valve repair device is attached to the native valve. The valve repair devices can include a spacer. The valve repair devices can be closes to attach the device to leaflets of the heart valve.