Vascular Valve with Ribs and Ring for Catheter Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial vascular valves are too large to be deployed through catheters due to the size of the venous path in the legs, making them unsuitable for replacing damaged valves in the deep venous system, which is crucial for preventing reflux and ensuring proper blood flow.
Innovation Solution
A vascular valve design featuring a ring with a valve flap and ribs, or two valve flaps supported by a ring, made of memory metal and suitable materials like nitinol and graphite-coated pyrolytic carbon, which can be folded for catheter deployment and expand to a larger size for proper function in larger veins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If known artificial vascular valves are designed to be large enough to function in large veins (6 mm diameter), then they can effectively replace damaged valves and prevent reflux, but they become too large to be deployed through catheters due to the small size of the venous path
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into multiple discrete components: a ring structure and separate valve flaps. This segmentation allows the components to be collapsed individually and nested within each other for catheter delivery, then assembled at the deployment site to form the functional valve structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve components are designed to nest within each other during delivery. The valve flaps are positioned inside the ring structure in a collapsed state, allowing the entire assembly to be compressed to a small diameter for catheter passage, then expanded to the functional 6 mm diameter at the implantation site.
2Strength
If the valve structure is made rigid to provide support and maintain shape during deployment, then it can ensure proper blood flow direction, but it becomes difficult to compress for catheter delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The ring structure incorporates shape memory alloy material that exhibits dynamic properties: it can be temporarily deformed to a compressed state for catheter delivery, then automatically returns to its predetermined expanded functional shape at body temperature after deployment, providing the necessary structural support without requiring permanent rigidity during delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the ring structure are changed through temperature-dependent phase transformation of the shape memory alloy. At lower temperatures, the material is more compliant and can be compressed; at body temperature, it transforms to a rigid state that provides structural support and maintains the valve's functional geometry.
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 deployment of vascular valves in larger veins by folding them to a smaller size for catheter insertion and expanding to their functional size, ensuring effective blood flow and valve operation without damaging the venous system.
Implementation Method 1
the ring provides support to the valve flap during and after deployment of the vascular valve
Implementation Method 2
a valve flap adapted to open and close based on vascular pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Vascular valves are disclosed. A vascular valve has a ring (101), and a valve flap (102) adapted to open and close based on vascular pressure. The valve flap (102) includes ribs (105) extending across at least a portion of the valve flap (102), and the ring (101) provides support to the valve flap (102) during and after deployment of the vascular valve.