Implantable venous valve
First Claim
1. A venous valve prosthesis comprising:
- opposing pliable nonbiological leaflet members configured to selectively shift between a first normally open position whereby fluid may flow in a first direction through an axial passageway defined between the leaflet members and a second closed position whereby fluid is prevented from backflowing through the axial passageway in a second direction opposite the first direction, the leaflets being normally open and only closing upon reversal of fluid flow to the second direction; and
, an elongated hollow support member cooperably receiving the leaflet members, the support member including opposed cutaway regions defining a pair of struts extending axially of the support member for supporting the leaflet members, the cutaway regions in cooperation with said struts configured for allowing the leaflet members to selectively collapse inwardly toward the second closed position.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A venous valve prosthesis includes a hollow conduit (40) defining a central passageway through which blood may flow. Opposing, pliable leaflet members (30) are located within the conduit and move back and forth between a first, open position, whereby blood may flow through the central passageway in a first direction, and a second, closed position, whereby blood is prevented from backflowing through the central passageway in a second direction which is opposite the first direction. A hollow and generally cylindrical support member (10, 20) retains the leaflet members and is coaxially disposed within the conduit. The support member includes opposing cutaway regions (18) defining two axially extending struts (16) supporting the leaflet members. The cutaway regions, in cooperation with the struts, allow the leaflet members to collapse inwardly to the closed position.
129 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A venous valve prosthesis comprising:
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opposing pliable nonbiological leaflet members configured to selectively shift between a first normally open position whereby fluid may flow in a first direction through an axial passageway defined between the leaflet members and a second closed position whereby fluid is prevented from backflowing through the axial passageway in a second direction opposite the first direction, the leaflets being normally open and only closing upon reversal of fluid flow to the second direction; and
,an elongated hollow support member cooperably receiving the leaflet members, the support member including opposed cutaway regions defining a pair of struts extending axially of the support member for supporting the leaflet members, the cutaway regions in cooperation with said struts configured for allowing the leaflet members to selectively collapse inwardly toward the second closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A venous valve replacement comprising:
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a frame defining a flow inlet end and a flow outlet end of a blood flow path, the frame having a plurality of struts at the flow outlet end; and
a one-piece generally tubular nonbiological leaflet structure disposed entirely coaxially around the frame including the struts, the generally tubular leaflet structure defining leaflets positioned at the gaps between the struts, the leaflets collapsing into the gaps between the struts to block the blood flow path responsive to a backflow of blood from the flow outlet end toward the flow inlet end. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A venous valve prosthesis comprising:
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a frame defining a blood flow path in which blood normally flows in a forward direction from a flow inlet end of the frame to a flow outlet end of the frame, the frame having a plurality of struts disposed at the flow outlet end; and
a plurality of nonbiological leaflets positioned at gaps between the struts at the flow outlet end of the frame, the leaflets being supported by the struts in a normally open position during normal blood flow and in the no blood flow state so as not to restrict the normal blood flow from the flow inlet end to the flow outlet end, the leaflets collapsing into the gaps between the struts to block the blood flow path responsive to a reversal of blood flow through the blood flow path. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification