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Bioprosthetic heart valve with semi-permeable commissure posts and deformable leaflets

  • US 5,147,391 A
  • Filed: 05/06/1991
  • Issued: 09/15/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A prosthetic heart valve comprisinga generally annular frame having a plurality of commissures joined thereto and extending generally axially therefrom and each commissure terminating at a distal end, each commissure being covered with a semipermeable membrane, said membrane becoming substantially impermeable upon immersion in body fluids;

  • andvalve leaflets attached to said frame and connecting adjacent commissures, said valve leaflets further comprising a free edge connecting two adjacent commissures, said free edge being convex with respect to a line connecting a junction between said free edge and one of said adjacent commissures and a junction between said free edge and the other of said adjacent commissures, and said free edge being adjacent said line so that, when the leaflets are closed and before being subjected to pressure, substantially all of each free edge is spaced away from the free edge of the adjacent leaflet, said leaflets being capable of stretching in response to pressure loads and hydration, whereby the free edges become mating.

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