Flexible cardiac valvular support prosthesis
DCFirst Claim
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1. An annuloplasty ring prosthesis for suturing about a heart valve orifice comprising:
- a rigid frame member dimensioned to extend about a portion of said valve orifice, said frame member having first and second opposing ends;
an elongated flexible member connected between said frame member ends;
a flexible sheath means formed about said rigid frame member and said elongated flexible member; and
soft compressible, resilient material filling said flexible sheath means about at least said flexible member.
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Abstract
A support for a natural heart valve is disclosed. The support is generally ring shaped and has a size and shape to fit against the natural heart valve annulus. First length of the support is flexible, and a second length of the support is less flexible than the first length of the support. Accordingly, when the support is implanted, the support can shape the heart valve annulus and the first length of the support allows contraction of the heart valve annulus therealong.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An annuloplasty ring prosthesis for suturing about a heart valve orifice comprising:
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a rigid frame member dimensioned to extend about a portion of said valve orifice, said frame member having first and second opposing ends; an elongated flexible member connected between said frame member ends; a flexible sheath means formed about said rigid frame member and said elongated flexible member; and soft compressible, resilient material filling said flexible sheath means about at least said flexible member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A ring prosthesis comprising:
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an elongated frame member formed with a substantially straight portion having opposing ends which are curved towards one another; a flexible member secured to and between said frame member curved ends; a sheath formed about said frame and flexible members; and a soft, compressible material filling said sheath about said frame and flexible members. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An annuloplasty ring prosthesis for suturing about a heart valve orifice comprising:
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a substantially oval shaped body portion having a first rigid elongated portion which is formed to lie about a substantial portion of said heart valve, which rigid portion is formed with two opposing ends and an elongated resilient and elastic member connected to and disposed between said opposing ends of said rigid portion to lie about the remainder of said heart valve, wherein said resilient and elastic member is less rigid than said rigid elongated portion a flexible enclosure means formed about said rigid elongated portion and said elongated flexible and elastic member, said enclosure means being further formed with a portion to allow suturing of said prosthesis about said heart valve. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A support for a heart valve comprising:
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an elongated frame member forming a portion of a ring and having opposite end portions; a flexible cord coupled to the opposite end portions of the frame member and extending continuously between said end portions to form a structure which circumscribes a region, said support being implantable to support a human heart valve annulus; and a soft, compressible, resilient material extending along the cord and shaping the cord between the end portions of the frame member. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification