Automated heart valve manufacturing
Inventors
Cody, III, James R. • Shih, Ping-Yang • Tran, Tiffany Diemtrinh
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12735819-B2
Publication Date
2026-09-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
An automated system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures. The system includes automated fixtures that maneuver a needle and a target device. The automated fixtures can be suturing arms, target device holders, needle transfer fixtures, and/or needle holders. The automated fixtures can rotate a target device held by the holder to allow one or more additional automated fixtures to perform operations such as form sutures on the target device without intervention of a human operator. The system can include a display system configured to display status information of a suturing procedure.
Core Innovation
The disclosure describes a fully automated system and method for forming sutures on a target device using a pre-programmed suturing procedure retrieved from a data store. The system secures and maneuvers the target device with an automated suture fixture and target holder while maneuvering a needle between holders of multiple automated suturing arms. A display system presents graphical procedure-status information to an operator, and a targeting system acquires images of the target device during the procedure.
The system further configures the automated suture fixture to remain fixed in location while the target holder rotates to change the target device orientation. The needle transfers among the automated suturing arms and a needle fixture configured to remain in a fixed location. Positional script data coordinates fixture and arm movements during individual steps, facilitating automated suture formation on target devices such as heart valves.
Claims Coverage
The claims coverage identifies two inventive features across independent claims 1 and 11.
Automated suturing with pre-programmed control and target handling
Claim 1 covers a fully automated method for forming sutures on a target device according to a pre-programmed suturing procedure retrieved from a data store. The method secures and maneuvers the target device using a target holder of an automated suture fixture, maneuvers a needle between needle holders of multiple automated suturing arms, displays graphical procedure-status information, and acquires images of the target device during the procedure.
Automated suturing with a rotating target holder and fixed needle fixture
Claim 11 covers an automated suturing method wherein an automated suture fixture remains fixed in location while a target holder rotates to change the orientation of the target device. Multiple automated suturing arms maneuver and pass a needle among their holders and a needle fixture configured to remain in a fixed location, while displaying procedure-status information and acquiring images of the target device.
Claims 1 and 11 cover automated suturing methods coordinating pre-programmed procedures, target fixture manipulation, needle movement among holders, procedure-status display, and image acquisition, with claim 11 further specifying target rotation and needle transfer to a fixed-location fixture.
Stated Advantages
Improved suturing precision and repeatability.
Reduced operator strain.
Potential fully automated operation.
Documented Applications
Automated formation of sutures and manufacturing involving target devices such as heart valves.
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