Ventricle Tethering With Anchors to Reduce Cardiac Remodeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cardiac abnormalities lead to heart ventricular remodeling, which can result in insufficient oxygen supply and associated symptoms, and existing cardiac repair procedures are invasive and may not effectively address these issues.
Innovation Solution
A tether system is deployed within the heart to couple various portions such as heart valve annuli, ventricular walls, septal walls, and papillary muscles to reverse or reduce ventricular remodeling, using anchors and tethers to reposition these structures minimally invasively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cardiac repair procedures are used to treat ventricular remodeling, then the structural abnormalities can be addressed, but the procedures are invasive and carry higher risks
Solution Approach 1:
A tether system serves as an intermediary device between the ventricular wall and the apex, using anchors and a tensioning mechanism to gradually reposition dilated tissue without requiring open-heart surgery. The tether acts as a mediator that translates external tension into controlled tissue remodeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical interventions (stitches, clips, or surgical reconstruction) with a bioresorbable tether system that uses controlled tension and gradual remodeling. The mechanical action is substituted from direct surgical manipulation to a controlled, progressive tensioning mechanism that allows tissue to adapt gradually.
2Reliability
If ventricular remodeling is treated with invasive procedures, then structural abnormalities can be corrected, but patient recovery time and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tether system is designed to be adjustable and dynamic, allowing the tension to be progressively increased over time as the tissue remodels. The system transitions from a static surgical correction to a dynamic, adaptive process that progresses with the patient's healing, reducing overall recovery time while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The minimally invasive deployment of anchors and tethers prepares the tissue for remodeling before significant damage occurs. By establishing the tether system early in the disease progression, the heart structure can be gradually corrected over time rather than requiring extensive surgical intervention later, reducing both risk and recovery time.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed-length tethers are used to couple heart structures, then the coupling is stable, but the system cannot adapt to changing heart conditions or optimize valve function
Solution Approach 1:
The tether system incorporates adjustable length mechanisms that allow the coupling between heart structures to be dynamically modified. The tether can be lengthened or shortened based on the patient's healing progress and changing cardiac geometry, maintaining optimal tension and stability throughout the remodeling process while adapting to evolving heart conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises coupling a first anchor to an annulus of a heart valve that is between a heart atrium and a heart ventricle, and extending a portion of a tether within the heart ventricle from the first anchor to a portion of a ventricular heart wall of the heart ventricle between an apex and a basal portion of the ventricular heart wall. The method can include positioning a second anchor over an externally oriented surface of the portion of the ventricular heart wall, and coupling the tether to the second anchor while the second anchor is over the externally oriented surface of the ventricular heart wall.