Bioprosthetic heart valve with semi-permeable commissure posts and deformable leaflets
First Claim
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.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bioprosthetic heart valve comprising leaflets with free edges which do not impinge on adjacent leaflets when the leaflets are closed before being implanted and subject to body fluids and cardiac pressure cycles. Commissures supporting the leaflets have semi-permeable membranes which reduce the pressure load on the leaflets during implantation. In response to immersion in body fluids, the membranes become substantially impermeable. The leaflets can stretch in response to loads and hydration, so that the free edges mate shortly after implantation. First and second mechanisms for supporting leaflets to provide multiple effective spring constants. An inner frame supporting commissures of the valve is elastic, permitting the commissures to bend in toward the center of the prosthetic heart valve at very low loads. A relatively rigid annular support ring supports the elastic frame and provides the second spring constant mechanism. The leaflets have an uncoupled mating edge where the leaflet approach each other in the center of the valve.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A prosthetic heart valve comprising
a 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; - and
valve 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification