Prosthetic device couplings

• US 4,233,690 A
• Filed: 05/19/1978
• Issued: 11/18/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carbomedics Inc. (Snia SpA)
• Original Assignee: Carbomedics Inc. (Snia SpA)
• Inventors: Akins, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eickholt, E. H.
• Application Number:
  US05/907,664
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 3/17 R, 3/1.5, 3/1.9, 3/1.91, 3/1.4, 3/1.1, 3/1.7, 3/DIG. 3, 3/1.5, 128/92 D, 128/92 R
• US Class Current: 623/2.41
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2403 with pivoting rigid closure members check valves with hinged closure members in general F16K15/03
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2400/16 Materials with shape-memory or superelastic properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/047 Other specific metals or alloys not covered by A61L27/042 - A61L27/045 or A61L27/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/507 for artificial blood vessels apparatus for applying cells on a blood vessel prosthesis A61F2/062

Abstract

A prosthetic element is securely joined to a natural element of the human body using a ductile metal alloy coupling member which has a transition-temperature range and which has been deformed from its original shape at a temperature below its transition-temperature. Heating the coupling member to a temperature above the transition temperature, as by passing electric current therethrough, causes the coupling to try to return to its original shape and effect a secure joinder.

A prosthetic device for long-term implantation in the human body can be made by using such a coupling element to join a circumscribing member, e.g., a sewing cuff, to a generally tubular, rigid portion of a prosthetic device, e.g., a heart valve body.

Claims

1. A prosthetic heart valve for long term implantation in the human body including

a generally tubular rigid portion,

a circumscribing sewing ring disposed in encircling relationship to said rigid tubular portion, and

a coupling element embedded within said sewing ring for joining said sewing ring to said heart valve tubular portion wherein the improvement comprises

said coupling element being made of a nickel-titanium alloy having a transition-temperature range, said element having been formed to a precise shape at a temperature above said range and having been deformed to a different shape at a temperature below said range whereby joinder of said sewing ring to said rigid tubular portion is effected by raising the temperature of said element above said range in order to cause said alloy to attempt to return to said precise shape.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said coupling element is a continuous ring.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the transition-temperature at which said metal alloy becomes ductile is about 20°

C. or below.