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A Novel Shape Memory Alloy Annuloplasty Ring for Minimally Invasive Surgery: Design, Fabrication, and Evaluation

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Abstract

A novel annuloplasty ring with a shape memory alloy core has been developed to facilitate minimally invasive mitral valve repair. In its activated (austenitic) phase, this prototype ring has comparable mechanical properties to commercial semi-rigid rings. In its pre-activated (martensitic) phase, this ring is flexible enough to be introduced through an 8-mm trocar and easily manipulated with robotic instruments within the confines of a left atrial model. The core is constructed of 0.50 mm diameter NiTi, which is maintained below its martensitic transition temperature (24 °C) during deployment and suturing. After suturing, the ring is heated above its austenitic transition temperature (37 °C, normal human body temperature) enabling the NiTi core to attain its optimal geometry and stiffness characteristics indefinitely. This article summarizes the design, fabrication, and evaluation of this prototype ring. Experimental results suggest that the NiTi core ring could be a viable alternative to flexible bands in robot-assisted minimally invasive mitral valve repair.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Grant Number 1 R01 HL075489-03A1. The authors would like to thank Intuitive Surgical, Inc., for allowing us free access to their da Vinci® Surgical System at their training center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    Molly F. Purser

  2. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    Andrew L. Richards & Gregory D. Buckner

  3. Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Richard C. Cook

  4. Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    Jason A. Osborne

  5. Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, 14623, USA

    Denis R. Cormier

Authors
  1. Molly F. Purser
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  2. Andrew L. Richards
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  3. Richard C. Cook
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  4. Jason A. Osborne
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  5. Denis R. Cormier
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  6. Gregory D. Buckner
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gregory D. Buckner.

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Associate Editor James Tunnell oversaw the review of this article.

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Purser, M.F., Richards, A.L., Cook, R.C. et al. A Novel Shape Memory Alloy Annuloplasty Ring for Minimally Invasive Surgery: Design, Fabrication, and Evaluation. Ann Biomed Eng 39, 367–377 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-010-0126-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-010-0126-z

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