Replacement heart valve

• US 6,719,789 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2002
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3F Therapeutics Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: 3F Therapeutics Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Cox, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Matthews, William H
• Application Number:
  US10/153,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20020138137A1
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 623/2.1, 623/2.12, 623/2.13, 623/2.16, 623/2.15
• US Class Current: 623/2.13
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0095 Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2412 with soft flexible valve members, e.g. tissue valves shaped like natural valves check valves with flexible valve members in general F16K15/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2430/20 for reconstruction of the heart, e.g. heart valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3604 characterised by the human or animal origin of the biological material, e.g. hair, fascia, fish scales, silk, shellac, pericardium, pleura, renal tissue, amniotic membrane, parenchymal tissue, fetal tissue, muscle tissue, fat tissue, enamel
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3629 Intestinal tissue, e.g. small intestinal submucosa
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3641 characterised by the site of application in the body materials for artificial blood vessels A61L27/507; materials for use in artificial skin A61L27/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3645 Connective tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3843 Connective tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/507 for artificial blood vessels apparatus for applying cells on a blood vessel prosthesis A61F2/062
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/90 Stent for heart valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/901 Method of manufacturing prosthetic device

Abstract

A prosthetic heart valve has leaflets made of a thin and flexible material. The side edges of adjacent leaflets are sewn together so as to form a substantially tubular valve structure having an in-flow end and an out-flow end. Each of the leaflets is adapted to flex inwardly into and out of engagement with another leaflet so as to close and open the valve in response to force by blood pressure. The leaflets are configured so that a portion of the inner face of each leaflet is in a facing relationship with a portion of the inner face of an adjacent leaflet.

Claims

1. A prosthetic heart valve, comprising:

at least two cusps comprised of a thin and flexible material, each cusp having an inner surface and an outer surface and each cusp being attached to another cusp on both sides of the cusps along longitudinal suture lines, each of the cusps adapted to flex inwardly into and out of engagement with another cusp so as to close and open the valve in response to force by blood pressure;

wherein a portion of the inner surface of one cusp is in a facing relationship with a portion of the inner surface of another cusp adjacent the longitudinal suture line when the valve is open so that the cusps are biased partially closed even when the valve is generally open.

2. The heart valve of claim 1, wherein the valve has an inlet end and an outlet end, and a portion of the inner surface of each cusp is in a facing relationship with a portion of the inner surface of each adjacent cusp adjacent the longitudinal suture line and at the outlet end of the valve.

3. The heart valve of claim 1, wherein the thin and flexible material comprises pericardial tissue.

4. The heart valve of claim 1, wherein at least one suture holds a portion of the inner surface of adjacent cusps together.

5. The heart valve of claim 4, wherein the inner surface of adjacent cusps are held together toward the out-flow end of the valve so that the cusps are biased partially closed even when the valve is generally open.

6. The heart valve of claim 4 additionally comprising suture reinforcements.

7. The heart valve of claim 1 wherein reinforcing pieces holds a portion of the inner surface of adjacent cusps together.