Collapsible/expandable prosthetic heart valves with non-expanding stent posts and retrieval features
First Claim
1. A frame structure for a prosthetic heart valve comprising:
- a plurality of Y-shaped structures disposed in an annular array in which the Y-shaped structures are spaced from one another in a direction that is annular of the array, each of the Y-shaped structures including a base member having a first free end portion and an opposite second end to which a first end of each of two arms of the Y-shaped structure is connected, the arms of each of the Y-shaped structures diverging from one another in a direction away from the second end to define a space between the arms, the space extending in the annular direction; and
a plurality of connecting structures, each connecting structure extending between a respective pair of annularly adjacent ones of the Y-shaped structures, each connecting structure interconnecting the Y-shaped structures in the associated pair, each connecting structure being collapsible and re-expandable in the annular direction, each of the Y-shaped structures being sufficiently strong to maintain at least 75% of the space between its arms when the array is subjected to an annular collapsing force that collapses the array to 50% of an initial annular size,wherein the arms of the Y-shaped structures are not shared by any of the connecting structures.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A frame structure for a collapsible and re-expandable prosthetic heart valve. The frame structure includes an annular annulus portion that is configured for implanting in or near a patient'"'"'s native heart valve annulus. This annulus portion of the frame structure may include a plurality of annularly spaced commissure post structures interconnected by connecting structures. The commissure post structures may be more resistant to annular collapse than the connecting structures. In the case of a prosthetic aortic valve, the frame structure may also include an annular aortic portion. The aortic portion may include a plurality of attachment points (for tethers) closest to the annulus portion. Such attachment points and tethers can facilitate re-collapse of a partly deployed valve in the event of a need to reposition or remove the valve.
-
Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A frame structure for a prosthetic heart valve comprising:
-
a plurality of Y-shaped structures disposed in an annular array in which the Y-shaped structures are spaced from one another in a direction that is annular of the array, each of the Y-shaped structures including a base member having a first free end portion and an opposite second end to which a first end of each of two arms of the Y-shaped structure is connected, the arms of each of the Y-shaped structures diverging from one another in a direction away from the second end to define a space between the arms, the space extending in the annular direction; and a plurality of connecting structures, each connecting structure extending between a respective pair of annularly adjacent ones of the Y-shaped structures, each connecting structure interconnecting the Y-shaped structures in the associated pair, each connecting structure being collapsible and re-expandable in the annular direction, each of the Y-shaped structures being sufficiently strong to maintain at least 75% of the space between its arms when the array is subjected to an annular collapsing force that collapses the array to 50% of an initial annular size, wherein the arms of the Y-shaped structures are not shared by any of the connecting structures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
Specification