Percutaneous transcatheter heart valve replacement
First Claim
1. An expansible prosthetic heart valve comprising:
- an implantable structure comprising a tubular framework which is expansible from a first reduced diameter to a second enlarged diameter and having a flow path therethrough, the tubular framework having;
a strength sufficient to maintain luminal patency when the framework is expanded within a valve of the heart; and
a plurality of radial protrusions, the protrusions extending radially about the tubular framework so as to anchor the tubular framework within the valve of the heart when the tubular framework is expanded therein;
a flexible membrane positionable in the flow path for permitting flow in a first direction and substantially resisting flow in a second direction; and
a membrane support positionable in the flow path and affixed to the implantable structure, wherein the membrane support comprises at least one rib member extending across the flow path, wherein the membrane support is fixed relative to the flexible membrane so that the flexible membrane flexes away from the membrane support including the at least one rib member during opening of the flow path in the first direction, wherein the flexible membrane is attached to a portion of the membrane support.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides improved devices and methods for replacing or repairing a malfunctioning heart valve. In particular, improved minimally invasive methods and devices are provided for percutaneous transcatheter implantation of expansible prosthetic heart valves within or adjacent a valved anatomic site within the heart. In one embodiment, an expansible prosthetic heart valve comprises an implantable structure, a flexible membrane, and a membrane support. The implantable structure is expansible from a first reduced diameter to a second enlarged diameter and has a flow path therethrough. The flexible membrane is positionable in the flow path for permitting flow in a first direction and substantially resisting flow in a second direction. The membrane support is positionable in the flow path and affixed to the implantable structure.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An expansible prosthetic heart valve comprising:
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an implantable structure comprising a tubular framework which is expansible from a first reduced diameter to a second enlarged diameter and having a flow path therethrough, the tubular framework having; a strength sufficient to maintain luminal patency when the framework is expanded within a valve of the heart; and a plurality of radial protrusions, the protrusions extending radially about the tubular framework so as to anchor the tubular framework within the valve of the heart when the tubular framework is expanded therein; a flexible membrane positionable in the flow path for permitting flow in a first direction and substantially resisting flow in a second direction; and a membrane support positionable in the flow path and affixed to the implantable structure, wherein the membrane support comprises at least one rib member extending across the flow path, wherein the membrane support is fixed relative to the flexible membrane so that the flexible membrane flexes away from the membrane support including the at least one rib member during opening of the flow path in the first direction, wherein the flexible membrane is attached to a portion of the membrane support. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for implanting an expansible prosthetic heart valve, the method comprising:
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providing a prosthetic heart valve an expansible structure, a flexible membrane, and a membrane support having at least one rib member, wherein the flexible membrane is attached to a portion of the membrane support, and wherein the expansible structure comprises a tubular framework; implanting the expansible structure within a valve of the heart by expanding the expansible structure from a first reduced diameter to a second enlarged diameter, wherein a flow path extends therethrough; positioning the fexible membrane in the flow path for permitting flow in a first direction and substantially resisting flow in a second direction; and positioning the membrane support in the flow path, wherein the at least one rib member extends across the flow path so as to support the flexible membrane against the flow path in the second direction, wherein the flexible membrane flexes away from the membrane support including the at least one rib member during opening of the flow path in the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification