Heart Valve Unlocking Tube Structure for Reliable Stent Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heart valve delivery systems face challenges in ensuring successful release of the valve stent due to resistance that prevents the unlocking sleeve from moving proximally, leading to incomplete exposure of the connection position between the hanging ear and hanging head, thereby hindering interventional surgery progress.
Innovation Solution
A heart valve delivery assembly featuring an outer sheath, outer tube apparatus with unlocking structures, and inner tube apparatus, utilizing a spring tube and traction strip to ensure the unlocking tube moves proximally, exposing the connection position between hanging ears and hanging heads, facilitated by a rigid connecting strip and elastic spring tube design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the unlocking sleeve is pulled towards the proximal side to release the valve stent, then the unlocking sleeve should move proximally to expose the connection position, but due to resistance the distal end remains stationary while only the proximal end moves, preventing successful release
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking sleeve is divided into a proximal portion and a distal portion that can move relative to each other. The proximal portion moves proximally when pulled, while the distal portion remains stationary due to resistance, allowing the connection position to be exposed without requiring the entire sleeve to move.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal portion of the unlocking sleeve is nested within the distal portion. When the proximal portion moves proximally, it exposes the connection position between the hanging ear and hanging head, while the distal portion remains in place to maintain structural stability.
2Ease of operation
If the unlocking sleeve is compressed to expose the hanging ear for connection, then the hanging ear becomes accessible, but the sleeve must be released afterward which causes it to lengthen and potentially fail to secure the connection
Solution Approach 1:
The hanging ear is pre-positioned within the unlocking sleeve in a compressed state. When the sleeve is compressed, the hanging ear is automatically exposed and positioned for connection. After connection, releasing the sleeve allows it to lengthen and secure the hanging ear and hanging head within the sleeve, preventing separation.
3Device complexity
If the unlocking sleeve maintains a fixed length, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to both the compressed state for connection and the extended state for securement
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking sleeve is designed with dynamic length characteristics. The proximal portion can move relative to the distal portion, allowing the sleeve to adapt its effective length based on operational requirements. This enables the same sleeve to function in both compressed (for connection) and extended (for securement) states without requiring multiple components.
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
Ensures successful release of the valve stent by exposing the connection position between hanging ears and hanging heads, allowing for smooth interventional surgery by minimizing resistance and facilitating quick, reliable detachment.
Implementation Method 1
the spring tube is located in the interval space, an axis of the spring tube and an axis of the first tube are located on the same straight line, one end of the spring tube is connected to the first tube
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a heart valve delivery assembly and an unlocking tube. An outer tube apparatus is included, and includes an outer tube and a plurality of unlocking structures. Each unlocking structure includes an unlocking tube and a traction strip which are interconnected, where the unlocking tube includes a spring tube and a limiting structure, the limiting structure includes a first tube, a second tube, and a connecting strip, the first tube and the second tube are coaxially arranged, the first tube and the second tube are spaced and are connected through the connecting strip, the spring tube is located in an interval space. When a valve stent is released, it can be ensured that the unlocking tube moves towards a proximal side as a whole, thereby exposing a connection position of a hanging ear and a hanging head, and ensuring successful release of the valve stent.