Enhanced Leaflet Support System for Improved Heart Valve Function
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An advanced leaflet support system designed to optimize heart valve function, addressing limitations of existing solutions by improving blood flow, reducing material usage, and enhancing structural integrity.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent's leaflet support apparatus, while effective, has inherent limitations. Specifically, the existing design may not provide optimal blood flow, can be prone to material waste, and may not ensure sufficient structural integrity. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing novel features that improve overall heart valve function.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced leaflet support system comprises a ring-shaped frame defining an array of adjoining cells, each concavely shaped to facilitate improved blood flow and reduced material usage. The frame's upstream and downstream sides are designed to optimize coaptation of valve leaflets. Additionally, the system features a spherical segment-shaped annulus-fitting zone, enhancing coaptation and reducing regurgitation. A plurality of aperture-surrounding struts ensures structural integrity, while a sensor monitors valve performance to facilitate real-time adjustments. Computational fluid dynamics is used to generate an optimized geometric pattern of cells, minimizing material usage and maximizing blood flow.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept introduces several novel features that distinguish it from the original patent. These include the concave cell shape, spherical segment-shaped annulus-fitting zone, and the use of computational fluid dynamics to optimize cell geometry. These advancements provide a significant improvement over existing solutions, offering enhanced heart valve function and reduced material usage.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include variations in cell shape, frame material, and strut design. Additionally, the system could be adapted for use in different heart valve types or sizes, or integrated with other cardiac implants.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced leaflet support system has significant commercial potential in the cardiac implant market, offering a more effective and efficient solution for heart valve repair and replacement. The system's ability to improve heart valve function and reduce material usage makes it an attractive option for medical device manufacturers and clinicians.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61F2/2448 |
| A | A61 | A61F2/2466 |
| A | A61 | A61F2230/0006 |
| A | A61 | A61F2230/0008 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Cardiac medical devices, specifically heart valve support systems and implantable cardiovascular interventional technologies, requiring advanced knowledge of biomechanical engineering, medical device design, and cardiovascular anatomy
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with expertise in cardiovascular interventions, advanced materials science, computational modeling, and familiarity with heart valve structural mechanics and fluid dynamics
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's disclosed variations represent predictable engineering modifications to the source patent's fundamental leaflet support design. The core structural elements remain consistent, with incremental improvements in geometry, material optimization, and performance monitoring that would be considered routine design iterations within the field of cardiac implant technologies.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,417 |
|---|---|
| Title | Leaflet support |
| Assignee(s) | TRILIO MEDICAL LTD. |