CARDIOVASCULAR VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH RESIZABLE DOCKING STATION

• US 20080004696A1
• Filed: 06/11/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Valvexchange, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Valvexchange, Inc.
• Inventors: Vesely, Ivan
• Application Number:
  US11/760,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20080004696A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2418 Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/001 for adjusting a diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/006 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0082 specially designed for children, e.g. having means for adjusting to their growth

Abstract

A cardiovascular valve assembly comprised of a base member and an exchangeable valve member detachably mountable thereto. The base member includes a tubular body. The valve member includes a valve frame that supports a plurality of valve leaflets. The diameter of the tubular body can be increased to receive an exchangeable valve member having larger dimensions.

Claims

1. A valve assembly comprising:

a base member deformable to increase the dimensions thereof; and

a valve member including a valve frame and a plurality of leaflets supported by the valve frame, said valve member detachably mountable to said base member.

2. A valve assembly according to claim 1,

wherein said base member includes:

a tubular body having an adjustable diameter, and

a mounting element attached to the tubular body; and

wherein said valve member includes;

a coupling element attached to the valve frame, said coupling element engageable with the mounting element to detachably mount said valve member to said base member.

3. A valve assembly according to claim 2, wherein said tubular body is a mesh comprised of a plurality of intersecting elongate members, said elongate members intersecting at intersection points.

4. A valve assembly according to claim 2, wherein said adjustable diameter of said tubular body can be sequentially increased to receive a series of valve members having valve frames of incrementally larger diameter.

5. A valve assembly according to claim 2, wherein said base member includes a securing element that is moveable relative to the tubular body to maintain an aspect ratio after enlargement of the diameter of the tubular body.

6. A valve assembly according to claim 2,

wherein said wherein said valve member further comprises:

a finger extending from the valve frame, and

wherein said valve member further comprises;

a securing element attached to said tubular body for capturing said finger.

7. A valve assembly according to claim 6, wherein said securing element includes:

a pair of arms pivotally connected to said tubular body, said arms moveable relative to each other when the diameter of said tubular body is adjusted; and

a strap extending between said pair of arms to define an opening dimensioned to receive said finger.

8. A valve assembly according to claim 6, wherein said securing element includes:

a pair of arms pivotally connected to said tubular body, said arms moveable relative to each other when the diameter of said tubular body is adjusted; and

a band attached to said pair of arms to define an opening dimensioned to receive said finger.

9. A valve assembly according to claim 6, wherein said securing element includes:

a band attached to said tubular body to define an opening dimensioned to receive said finger.

10. A valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said valve assembly includes:

engagement means for detachably mounting the valve member to the base member.

11. A valve assembly according to claim 10, wherein said engagement means includes:

a coupling element comprising a portion of said valve member; and

a mounting element comprising a portion of said base member.

12. A valve assembly comprising:

a base member deformable to increase the dimensions thereof, said base member including;

a tubular body having an adjustable diameter,

a plurality of mounting elements attached to the tubular body,

a plurality of securing elements attached to the tubular body; and

a valve member detachably mountable to said base member, said valve member including;

a valve frame and a plurality of leaflets supported by the valve frame,

a plurality of coupling elements attached to the valve frame, each said coupling element engageable with a respective mounting element to detachably mount said valve member to said base member, and

a plurality of fingers attached to the valve frame, each finger capturable by a respective securing element of the base member.

13. A valve assembly according to claim 12, wherein said tubular body is a mesh comprised of a plurality of intersecting elongate members, said elongate members intersecting at intersection points.

15. A valve assembly according to claim 12, wherein said adjustable diameter of said tubular body can be sequentially increased to receive a series of valve members having valve frames of incrementally larger diameter.

16. A valve assembly according to claim 12, each said securing element is moveable relative to the tubular body to maintain an aspect ratio after enlargement of the diameter of the tubular body.

17. A valve assembly according to claim 12, wherein each said securing element includes:

a pair of arms pivotally connected to said tubular body, said arms moveable relative to each other when the diameter of said tubular body is adjusted; and

a strap extending between said pair of arms to define an opening dimensioned to receive said finger.

18. A valve assembly according to claim 12, wherein each said securing element includes:

a pair of arms pivotally connected to said tubular body, said arms moveable relative to each other when the diameter of said tubular body is adjusted; and

a band attached to said pair of arms to define an opening dimensioned to receive said finger.

19. A valve assembly according to claim 12, wherein each said securing element includes:

a band attached to said tubular body to define an opening dimensioned to receive said finger.