An idea for research

[Andyrdj]

Just wondered if anyone had thought of the following idea

Design a tissue valve with an outer stent which fits in the normal valve position and needs attaching with OHS

BUT

add an inner part with the leaflets designed to be replaced by catheter, which can be "clipped off" and a new bit "clipped on" as the leaflets become calcified.

I got the idea looking at my mixing decks. The mixer has a cross fader which is apt to wear out due to overuse, but which is designed to be easily replaced by undoing a couple of screws, pulling out the crossfader and slotting in a new one.

I don't know all of the mechanics of percutaneous valve replacement, but I think it's designed to basically hook into the sides with a self expanding stent. Can this be easily removed? Some seem to sit on the body's existing valve. What about the need to operate on patients who already have an artificial valve implanted?

I present this merely as an idea. Actually, if it's made sufficiently modular, then the inner bit could be replaced with tissue OR mecahnical, depanding on what was best at the time.

 

[RCB]

Very forward thinking

Very forward thinking

If they can just get this process out of the research phase, I'm
pretty sure that is what they want to do. Like most R & D, it is one step
at a time, although it seems more like a crawl.

 

[Andyrdj]

Another possibility

Another possibility

Alternatively, I understand that there are some catheter based systems around for de-calcifying aged tissue valves, although from what I hear they tend to re-calcify a lot quicker than the first time.

If such a process, however, could be combined with a process that reduced the number of calcium bonding sites, then maybe the option would be more viable. At best, it might mean a catheterisation every 10 years.

 

[PapaHappyStar]

Just wondered if anyone had thought of the following idea

Design a tissue valve with an outer stent which fits in the normal valve position and needs attaching with OHS

BUT

add an inner part with the leaflets designed to be replaced by catheter, which can be "clipped off" and a new bit "clipped on" as the leaflets become calcified.

I got the idea looking at my mixing decks. The mixer has a cross fader which is apt to wear out due to overuse, but which is designed to be easily replaced by undoing a couple of screws, pulling out the crossfader and slotting in a new one.

I don't know all of the mechanics of percutaneous valve replacement, but I think it's designed to basically hook into the sides with a self expanding stent. Can this be easily removed? Some seem to sit on the body's existing valve. What about the need to operate on patients who already have an artificial valve implanted?

I present this merely as an idea. Actually, if it's made sufficiently modular, then the inner bit could be replaced with tissue OR mecahnical, depanding on what was best at the time.

I think they are trying to make bio-adhesives, in which case perhaps one could envision beating heart surgery that would place new leaflets with bioadhesive backing in the old annulus while removing the corresponding old leaf, sounds pretty dangerous though. A problem with clipping is the constant surges in pressure the aortic valve has to contend with, sort of like jerking something clipped repeatedly -- unless they could come up with something like ( crap i forgot the word for it, they are little strips with hooks and catches which latch on to each other -- very common on clothing, guess i have pumphead ... ) . then they have to attach those which they could with a stent...

There are hemodynamic issues with stents as well

pretty good ideas

 

[RCB]

Were you thinking...

Were you thinking...

perhaps Velcro?

"( crap i forgot the word for it, they are little strips with hooks and catches which latch on to each other -- very common on clothing,"

 

[RCB]

Wondering?

Wondering?

Burair,
You left me hanging- was it Velcro or something else?