APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MAKING LEAFLETS AND VALVE PROSTHESES INCLUDING SUCH LEAFLETS
First Claim
1. A method for making a bioprosthetic heart valve, comprising:
- creating a leaflet from a sheet of target material;
creating a plurality of alignment holes in the leaflet along at least one peripheral edge of the leaflet;
providing a support structure having a plurality of alignment holes corresponding to at least some of the alignment holes in the leaflet; and
directing one or more sutures through the corresponding alignment holes in the leaflet and the support structure to secure the leaflet to the support structure.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for making a bioprosthetic heart valve includes providing a non-contact cutting apparatus and a layer of tissue. The non-contact cutting apparatus may include a laser cutting system or high pressure water jet system. A leaflet is cut from the layer of tissue using a predefined template, and a plurality of alignment holes in the leaflet are created in the leaflet, e.g., along a peripheral edge. A support structure is provided having a plurality of alignment holes corresponding to alignment holes in the leaflet. The leaflet is secured to the support structure by securing one or more sutures through corresponding alignment holes in the leaflet and the support structure to provide a leaflet subassembly. A bioprosthetic heart valve is made by securing a set of leaflet subassemblies to a frame.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for making a bioprosthetic heart valve, comprising:
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creating a leaflet from a sheet of target material;
creating a plurality of alignment holes in the leaflet along at least one peripheral edge of the leaflet;
providing a support structure having a plurality of alignment holes corresponding to at least some of the alignment holes in the leaflet; and
directing one or more sutures through the corresponding alignment holes in the leaflet and the support structure to secure the leaflet to the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A bioprosthetic heart valve, comprising:
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a frame;
a support structure secured to the frame, the leaflet support structure including a plurality of alignment holes; and
a leaflet secured to the support structure such that the leaflet may open and close relative to the frame, the leaflet having a plurality of alignment holes corresponding to the alignment holes in the support structure, the leaflet being secured to the leaflet support structure by one or more sutures passing through the respective alignment holes in the leaflet and the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A bioprosthetic heart valve, produced by the steps of:
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providing a laser cutting apparatus;
providing a target material;
cutting a leaflet from the target material using a template, wherein cutting includes forming a plurality of alignment holes in the leaflet;
providing a support structure having a plurality of alignment holes corresponding to at least some of the alignment holes in the leaflet; and
attaching the leaflet to the support structure by securing one or more sutures through corresponding alignment holes in the leaflet and the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification