Tri-leaflet mechanical heart valve
First Claim
1. A tri-leaflet heart valve comprising:
- an annular valve base with an inner surface defining a central orifice through which a blood flow moves from an upstream side to a downstream side;
three protruding hinges formed on the inner surface of the annular valve base and equally spaced along the inner surface of the annular valve base, each hinge comprising a convex downstream face connected to a convex upstream face by a curved ridge and a pair of concave sockets on opposite sides of the hinge; and
three leaflets arranged between adjacent hinges, each leaflet having an arcuate contour and being provided with a pair of round pivots respectively mounted inside the concave sockets of the hinges, each of leaflets being respectively suspended between a corresponding pair of concave sockets and being freely rotatable within the annular valve base;
when the leaflets are subject to a positive pressure from the blood flow, the leaflets are fully opened to allow the blood to flow through the central orifice, and when the leaflets are subject to a negative pressure, the leaflets are closed to occlude the blood flow.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tri-leaflet heart valve includes an annular valve base with an inner surface forming an orifice through which blood flows from the upstream side to the downstream side. Three protruding hinges, each with concave sockets on opposite sides, are formed on the inner surface. Each hinge has a downstream face and an upstream face connected by a ridge. Three leaflets are respectively arranged between adjacent hinges. Each leaflet has round pivots on both sides that rest inside the concave sockets, allowing the leaflets to freely rotate in the annular valve base. When the leaflets are subject to a positive pressure from the blood flow, the leaflets are pushed open and allow a central flow. When the leaflets are subject to a negative pressure, the leaflets are closed to occlude the blood flow.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A tri-leaflet heart valve comprising:
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an annular valve base with an inner surface defining a central orifice through which a blood flow moves from an upstream side to a downstream side;
three protruding hinges formed on the inner surface of the annular valve base and equally spaced along the inner surface of the annular valve base, each hinge comprising a convex downstream face connected to a convex upstream face by a curved ridge and a pair of concave sockets on opposite sides of the hinge; and
three leaflets arranged between adjacent hinges, each leaflet having an arcuate contour and being provided with a pair of round pivots respectively mounted inside the concave sockets of the hinges, each of leaflets being respectively suspended between a corresponding pair of concave sockets and being freely rotatable within the annular valve base;
when the leaflets are subject to a positive pressure from the blood flow, the leaflets are fully opened to allow the blood to flow through the central orifice, and when the leaflets are subject to a negative pressure, the leaflets are closed to occlude the blood flow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification