POLYMER LEAFLET DESIGNS FOR MEDICAL DEVICES
First Claim
1. A valved prosthesis comprising a support structure and a plurality of flexible polymer leaflets connected to the support structure, the support structure having a plurality of commissure supports and scallops between the commissure supports, the valve having a relaxed state with a lumen that is at least 10 percent of the fully open lumen and, at a point along the scallops closest to the inflow edge, the flexible polymer leaflets connecting to the support structure at an angle toward the inflow edge from about 5 degrees to about 85 degrees relative to a plane normal to the valve axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Valved prostheses include a support structure and a plurality of flexible polymer leaflets connected to the support structure, in which the leaflets have an improved structural design. The support structure has a plurality of commissure supports and scallops between the commissure supports. Generally, the flexible polymer leaflets project away from the support structure at an attachment edge where the leaflets connect to the support structure. In particular embodiments, the leaflets at the attachment edge are at an angle from about 5 degrees to about 85 degrees relative to a plane normal to the valve axis. In some embodiments, the flexible polymer leaflets having a coaptation depth from about 0.3 times the valve radius to about 0.8 times the valve radius. In further embodiments, the flexible polymer leaflets form a valve with a valve height from about one times the valve radius to about 2 times the valve radius and have leaflet lengths at least about 1 millimeter greater than the valve radius.
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Citations
32 Claims
- 1. A valved prosthesis comprising a support structure and a plurality of flexible polymer leaflets connected to the support structure, the support structure having a plurality of commissure supports and scallops between the commissure supports, the valve having a relaxed state with a lumen that is at least 10 percent of the fully open lumen and, at a point along the scallops closest to the inflow edge, the flexible polymer leaflets connecting to the support structure at an angle toward the inflow edge from about 5 degrees to about 85 degrees relative to a plane normal to the valve axis.
- 13. A valved prosthesis comprising a support structure and at least three flexible polymer leaflets connected to the support structure, the support structure having a plurality of commissure supports and scallops between the commissure supports and the flexible polymer leaflets having a coaptation depth from about 0.3 times the valve radius to about 0.8 times the valve radius.
- 21. A valved prosthesis comprising a support structure and a plurality of flexible polymer leaflets, the support structure having a plurality of commissure supports and scallops between the commissure supports and the flexible polymer leaflets form a valve with a valve height from about one times the valve radius to about 2 times the valve radius and having leaflet lengths at least about 1 millimeter greater than the valve height.
Specification