METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR ASSEMBLY OF A PERICARDIAL PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE
First Claim
1. A method of assembling a prosthetic heart valve, comprising the steps of:
- providing first and second sheets of material, each comprising first and second opposite surfaces and positioning the first and second sheets of material relative to each other so that at least a portion of the first side of the second sheet of material is in contact with at least a portion of the second side of the first sheet of material;
positioning a first sewing fixture template adjacent to the first side of the first sheet of material and positioning a second sewing fixture template adjacent to the second side of the second sheet of material, wherein the first and second sewing fixture templates each comprise a sewing pattern;
positioning a top sewing fixture frame plate adjacent to the first sewing fixture template, wherein the top plate comprises a central opening through which the sewing pattern of the first sewing fixture template can be accessed;
positioning a bottom sewing fixture frame plate adjacent to the second sewing fixture template, wherein the bottom plate comprises a central opening through which the sewing pattern of the second sewing fixture template can be accessed;
stitching the first and second sheets of material to each other along the sewing patterns of the first and second sewing fixture templates;
removing the top sewing fixture frame plate and the first sewing fixture template;
inserting a lower cutting fixture middle plate between the first and second sheets of material and positioning a top cutting fixture plate adjacent to the first side of the first sheet of material, wherein the top cutting fixture plate comprises a central opening;
cutting the first sheet of material through the central opening of the top cutting fixture plate;
removing the first and second sheets of material and folding the material sheets along a fold line so that a top surface and a bottom surface of the assembled material are facing in opposite directions;
positioning a first final sewing fixture template adjacent to the top surface of the assembled material and positioning a second final sewing fixture template adjacent to the bottom surface of the assembled material, wherein the first and second final sewing fixture templates each comprise a pattern line;
positioning a first final seam sewing fixture adjacent to the first final sewing fixture template and positioning a second final sewing seam fixture adjacent to the second final sewing fixture template; and
stitching the assembled material along the pattern line of the first and second final sewing fixture templates.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of assembling a prosthetic valve using sheets of material, such as pericardium material, polymer or bioengineered film, or other material. The method provides an accurate and repeatable system of making pericardial valves in which sheets or pieces of material are held securely in place relative to each other throughout the steps of assembling the valve. In addition, methods of the present invention include maintaining consistent alignment of the fixtures and pericardium material throughout the valve assembly process and utilize features that make the tooling components easy to assemble and handle. Certain aspects of the invention can be used to help establish a repeatable sewing and cutting technique for creating a pattern shape for valve leaflets, establishing stitch lengths, and determining the exact placement of stitches.
128 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of assembling a prosthetic heart valve, comprising the steps of:
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providing first and second sheets of material, each comprising first and second opposite surfaces and positioning the first and second sheets of material relative to each other so that at least a portion of the first side of the second sheet of material is in contact with at least a portion of the second side of the first sheet of material; positioning a first sewing fixture template adjacent to the first side of the first sheet of material and positioning a second sewing fixture template adjacent to the second side of the second sheet of material, wherein the first and second sewing fixture templates each comprise a sewing pattern; positioning a top sewing fixture frame plate adjacent to the first sewing fixture template, wherein the top plate comprises a central opening through which the sewing pattern of the first sewing fixture template can be accessed; positioning a bottom sewing fixture frame plate adjacent to the second sewing fixture template, wherein the bottom plate comprises a central opening through which the sewing pattern of the second sewing fixture template can be accessed; stitching the first and second sheets of material to each other along the sewing patterns of the first and second sewing fixture templates; removing the top sewing fixture frame plate and the first sewing fixture template; inserting a lower cutting fixture middle plate between the first and second sheets of material and positioning a top cutting fixture plate adjacent to the first side of the first sheet of material, wherein the top cutting fixture plate comprises a central opening; cutting the first sheet of material through the central opening of the top cutting fixture plate; removing the first and second sheets of material and folding the material sheets along a fold line so that a top surface and a bottom surface of the assembled material are facing in opposite directions; positioning a first final sewing fixture template adjacent to the top surface of the assembled material and positioning a second final sewing fixture template adjacent to the bottom surface of the assembled material, wherein the first and second final sewing fixture templates each comprise a pattern line; positioning a first final seam sewing fixture adjacent to the first final sewing fixture template and positioning a second final sewing seam fixture adjacent to the second final sewing fixture template; and stitching the assembled material along the pattern line of the first and second final sewing fixture templates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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- 12. An assembly for constructing a leaflet for a prosthetic valve, comprising a first leaflet sewing plate having a first surface, a first layer of material adjacent to the first surface of the first leaflet sewing plate, a wall protection plate adjacent to the first layer of material, a second layer of material adjacent to the wall protection plate, and a second leaflet sewing plate adjacent to the second layer of material.
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16. A valve assembly system for use in making prosthetic valves, the system comprising:
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a top plate having a first surface comprising multiple locating pin holes and a locating pin extending from each of the holes; a bottom plate adjacent to the top plate, wherein the bottom plate comprises a first surface comprising multiple locating pin holes, each of which is aligncd and engaged with a locating pin extending from the top plate; at least one removable frame clamp contacting an outwardly facing surface of the top plate and an outwardly facing surface of the bottom plate; and a removable slide pin cover removeably attached to a first edge of the bottom plate. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification