Transcatheter Heart Valve Therapy Retrieval With Tissue Cutting

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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

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If open heart surgery is used to remove heart valve therapy, then complete removal is achieved, but patient trauma and surgical risk increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremoval completenessVSAvoidpatient trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical open heart surgery system with a transcatheter-based system that uses electrosurgical energy and mechanical snare devices delivered through catheters. The electrosurgical cutting device severs tissue attachments electrically, while the snare device mechanically captures and extracts the therapy device, eliminating the need for sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary tools (catheters, electrosurgical cutting devices, and snare devices) that mediate between the operator and the heart valve therapy device. These intermediaries are delivered through vascular access and enable removal without direct surgical exposure of the heart, reducing patient trauma while maintaining removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If transcatheter removal method is used, then patient trauma is reduced, but the complexity of the removal procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient traumaVSAvoidprocedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into integrated catheter-based devices. The electrosurgical cutting device and snare device can be delivered through the same or similar catheter access, and in some embodiments, the system integrates both cutting and capturing capabilities in a unified approach, simplifying the overall procedural workflow despite the advanced technology involved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the removal procedure into distinct, manageable steps: (1) delivery of the cutting device through catheter, (2) cutting of tissue attachments, (3) deployment of snare device to capture the therapy device, and (4) extraction through vascular access. This segmentation allows each step to be performed with specialized tools while maintaining overall procedural coherence and reducing complexity through systematic organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If electrosurgical cutting device is used to sever tissue attachments, then removal precision is improved, but risk of tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidtissue damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrosurgical cutting device concentrates energy locally at the cutting tip where it contacts the tissue attachment, achieving precise severing of the attachment between the valve therapy device and native tissue. The energy delivery is localized to the immediate contact point, minimizing thermal spread and reducing the risk of damage to surrounding healthy tissue while maintaining effective cutting precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 safe and effective removal of heart valve therapies with reduced risk and trauma to patients, facilitating further valvular therapies without the need for 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.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the intracellular contents undergo a liquid to gas conversion, massive volumetric expansion, and resulting vaporization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS12569274B2Method and apparatus for removing heart valve therapy

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 AMX TECHNOLOGIES LLC

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.