Inflatable artificial valve

• US 20080133002A1
• Filed: 12/05/2006
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniel Gelbart, Samuel Victor Lichtenstein
• Original Assignee: Daniel Gelbart, Samuel Victor Lichtenstein
• Inventors: Gelbart, Daniel, Lichtenstein, Samuel Victor
• Application Number:
  US11/633,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20080133002A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2412 with soft flexible valve members, e.g. tissue valves shaped like natural valves check valves with flexible valve members in general F16K15/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2415 Manufacturing methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2427 Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0003 having an inflatable pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid or gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/50 Materials characterised by their function or physical properties , e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/507 for artificial blood vessels apparatus for applying cells on a blood vessel prosthesis A61F2/062

Abstract

An artificial valve is delivered percutaneously in the form of a hollow inflatable shell, which is later filled in situ with a suitable elastomer, similar to inflating a balloon. Since the shell is a flexible and mostly hollow balloon, it can be compressed and transported via a relatively small catheter. In order to inflate to the correct shape the hollow shell requires some ties between its walls. These ties are formed from a low density open cell foam or a specialized manufacturing process. The valve can combine elements with different stiffness as well as different materials. A positioning balloon can also be used in the process of placing the valve. The invention is particularly suited for cardiac valves but can be used for other artificial valves.

Claims

1. An artificial valve delivered to its destination in the body in the form of an inflatable shell and inflated in place by a fluid.

3. A valve as in claim 1 wherein said fluid turns into a gel.

4. A valve as in claim 1 wherein said fluid is a gas.

5. A valve as in claim 1 wherein said valve is a cardiac valve.

6. A valve as in claim 1 wherein said valve is delivered percutaneously.

7. A valve as in claim 1 wherein said valve is delivered percutaneously and positioned with the aid of an inflatable balloon.

8. A valve as in claim 1 wherein said inflatable shell and said fluid are of the same polymer family.

9. A valve as in claim 1 wherein different parts of said valve are made of different materials.

10. A valve as in claim 1 wherein said valve is pre-filled with a catalyst which reacts with said inflating fluid to form an elastomer.

11. A valve as in claim 1 wherein said inflatable shell has an internal reinforcing structure assisting in controlling the inflated shape.

12. A valve as in claim 1 wherein said valve is manufactured by a molding process.

13. A valve as in claim 1 wherein said valve is manufactured by a lost wax process.

15. An inflatable valve as in claim 1 wherein said inflating fluid is stored inside valve and inflates the valve by the creation of an elastomeric foam.

17. A method as in claim 12 wherein said valve is a cardiac valve.

18. A method as in claim 12 wherein said fluid polymerizes into an elastomer.

2. A valve as in claim wherein said fluid polymerizes into an elastomer.

14. An artificial valve having at least part of said valve inflatable by the injection of a fluid after said valve is delivered into the body.

16. A method of installing an artificial valve in the human body comprising of the following steps:

percutaneously delivering an inflatable shell to the desired location; and

inflating said shell to the final valve form by injecting a fluid.