Heart valve with removable cusp protector band
First Claim
1. In a prosthetic heart valve comprising a cylindrical stent, sheet material overlying the stent and extending inwardly to form a closure within the confines of said stent, and a sewing cushion encircling the stent at one end thereof, the improvement comprising a removable protective band circumscribing the stent and overlying the sheet material immediately adjacent said sewing cushion.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A plastic band is secured around the outside of a prosthetic heart valve adjacent the sewing cushion to protect the valve leaflet material against inadvertent needle punctures and tears while sutures are being placed through the sewing cushion. The band is held in place by a single retention suture which passes through the band and sewing cushion of the valve and extends across the valve orifice. The protector is especially desirable for use with pericardial tissue valves having the tissue mounted on the outside of the valve stent where the tissue is particularly exposed and susceptible to needle damage.
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Citations
18 Claims
- 1. In a prosthetic heart valve comprising a cylindrical stent, sheet material overlying the stent and extending inwardly to form a closure within the confines of said stent, and a sewing cushion encircling the stent at one end thereof, the improvement comprising a removable protective band circumscribing the stent and overlying the sheet material immediately adjacent said sewing cushion.
- 12. A protective band adapted to circumscribe a prosthetic heart valve constructed of natural or synthetic sheet material and comprising a flat, elongated strip having a length corresponding to the circumference of said valve a width of at least about 0.25 inches, said band having a plurality of suture guide means at each end thereof and at least one suture guide means intermediate said ends.
Specification