Droop Tester Apparatus and Method
First Claim
1. A system for testing heart valve leaflets, each leaflet defining opposing tab ends, the system comprising:
- a leaflet support assembly including a support post for receiving and supporting a leaflet to be tested, the post being disposed in a target region of the support assembly;
a transmitter assembly including a light source, wherein the transmitter assembly is configured and arranged to direct light from the light source onto the target region; and
a receiver assembly including a first image sensor configured and arranged to sense an image of the target region and generate image information indicative of the sensed image;
wherein the image information is indicative of leaflet droop.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a system for testing heart valve leaflets. The system includes a leaflet support assembly with a support post for receiving and supporting a leaflet to be tested, the post being disposed in a target region of the support assembly. The system also has a transmitter assembly that includes a light source and is configured and arranged to direct light from the light source onto the target region. The system further includes a receiver assembly that has an image sensor configured and arranged to sense an image of the target region and generate image information indicative of the sensed image, such as leaflet droop.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for testing heart valve leaflets, each leaflet defining opposing tab ends, the system comprising:
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a leaflet support assembly including a support post for receiving and supporting a leaflet to be tested, the post being disposed in a target region of the support assembly; a transmitter assembly including a light source, wherein the transmitter assembly is configured and arranged to direct light from the light source onto the target region; and a receiver assembly including a first image sensor configured and arranged to sense an image of the target region and generate image information indicative of the sensed image; wherein the image information is indicative of leaflet droop. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of testing a leaflet for use with an implantable heart valve, the leaflet defining opposing tab ends, the method comprising:
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loading the leaflet onto a support post of a leaflet support assembly, including the leaflet being centrally supported by the post and the opposing tab ends freely hanging downwardly from the post due to gravity; directing light onto the loaded leaflet; collecting an image of the illuminated, loaded leaflet; and determining a parameter related to leaflet droop based upon the collected image. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification