CARDIAC VALVULAR SUPPORT PROSTHESIS

• US 3,656,185 A
• Filed: 02/04/1970
• Issued: 04/18/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Alain F. Carpentier
• Inventors: Carpentier, Alain F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truluck, Dalton L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frinks, Ronald L.
• Application Number:
  US05/008,564
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 3/1,DIG.3 128/334R,1
• US Class Current: 623/2.36
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2448 D-shaped rings

Abstract

A cardiac valvular prosthesis, e.g., for the mitral valve, consisting solely of an annular or part-annular member adapted to fit against the base of the cusps of a human heart valve, and suture means for securing the member in place. The prosthesis cooperates with the natural valve cusps of the patient to form the valve.

Claims

1. A cardiac valve support for supporting the cusps of a natural human heart valve without excising said valve and cusps, consisting solely of:

an elongated member curved along its length to define a generally ring-shaped rigid member of a size and shape to fit against the base of the cusps of a natural human heart valve, the central axis of said curved elongated member lying substantially in a single plane, and suture means for suturing the member In place, said suture means being substantially coextensive with said elongated member.

2. A cardiac valve support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated member comprises a rigid frame, and wherein said frame and suture means are enclosed in a textile sheath.

3. A cardiac valve support as claimed in claim 2, wherein said frame comprises an asymmetric, outwardly hollow, channel section having unequal length flanges defining an external groove, and said suture means comprises a suturable cord disposed within said external groove.

4. A cardiac valve support as claimed in claim 3, wherein a reinforcing filament extends along said elongated member within said cord.

5. A cardiac valve support as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongated member is curved in an annular shape, including a circular sector portion and a substantially straight portion together defining the annular periphery of said elongated member, said straight portion comprising between one-quarter and one-half of said periphery.

6. A cardiac valve support as claimed in claim 1, wherein said member is a part-annular member curved in an annular shape but omitting between one-quarter and one-half of the total peripheral length of said total annular shape, said part-annular member having spaced apart ends, the annular arcuate spacing between said ends being not less than about one third of the actual peripheral length of said part-annular member.