Transcatheter Heart Valve Therapy Retrieval With Tissue Cutting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing heart valve therapies, such as MitraClip or PASCAL devices, typically require open heart surgery, which is invasive and risky for patients.
Innovation Solution
A transcatheter system using a steerable catheter with an adjustable snare or electrosurgical device for cutting native tissue and a capturing tool to remove heart valve therapies, allowing for less invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open heart surgery is used to remove heart valve therapies, then complete removal is achieved, but patient trauma and risk of complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical open-heart surgical system with a transcatheter-based system that uses electrosurgical energy and mechanical snare devices delivered through catheters. The electrosurgical cutting device uses electrical energy to cut tissue, while the snare device uses controlled mechanical constriction, both delivered minimally invasively through vascular access rather than requiring chest opening and direct surgical manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces catheters as intermediary delivery vehicles that transport the removal devices (electrosurgical cutting device and snare device) through the bloodstream to the heart valve therapy site. This intermediary approach allows the removal tools to reach the target without requiring direct surgical exposure, thereby reducing patient trauma while maintaining removal effectiveness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If transcatheter removal method is used, then patient trauma is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple removal mechanisms (electrosurgical cutting device and snare device) into a single integrated transcatheter system. Both devices are delivered through the same catheter access route and can be deployed sequentially or simultaneously, consolidating what would otherwise require separate procedural approaches into one unified system, thereby managing complexity while maintaining minimal invasiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The transcatheter removal system is designed with multi-functionality, capable of accommodating different removal approaches (electrosurgical cutting, mechanical snaring) through a common catheter platform. This universal design allows the same access route and delivery mechanism to support multiple removal techniques, reducing the need for separate specialized systems for each removal method
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 the removal of heart valve therapies with reduced trauma and lower risk of complications, providing a safer alternative to open heart surgery.
Implementation Method 1
using a RF electrosurgical device that will heat tissue such that the electrosurgical cutting device's intracellular temperature rapidly reaches 100 degrees C
Implementation Method 2
the electrosurgical cutting device's intracellular temperature rapidly reaches 100 degrees C, the intracellular contents undergo a liquid to gas conversion, massive volumetric expansion, and resulting vaporization
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A retrieval catheter and methods of use are described for removing a heart valve therapy such as a leaflet clip or artificial leaflet cord. The retrieval catheter can include a cutting element and a basket, piercing element, clamping mechanism, or similar grasping device. The method includes delivering a catheter to the region of the heart valve therapy and then manipulating the catheter and associated instruments to cut tissue as necessary and then remove the heart valve therapy and withdraw the catheter.