Low gradient prosthetic heart valve
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A low pressure gradient prosthetic heart valve, comprising:
- a support frame having a leaflet attachment edge with an undulating shape defined by alternating arcuate inflow cusp regions on an inflow end and arcuate outflow commissure regions on an outflow end, wherein the arcuate cusp regions have large radii of curvatures relative to the arcuate commissure regions so that the commissure regions commence at adjacent relatively straight sections leading up to an arcuate commissure tip, the, the support frame, in a relaxed state, circumscribing a flow volume having a central axis, the flow volume having a maximum flow orifice area perpendicular to the central axis limited by the inflow end of the support frame;
a suture-permeable sewing ring surrounding the cusp regions that provides a structural anchor to the surrounding anatomy at an inflow end of the support frame, wherein the commissure regions are cantilevered toward an outflow direction from the cusp regions when anchored to the surrounding anatomy such that the commissure tips may flex radially in and out; and
a plurality of flexible leaflets attached to the support frame and extending inward toward the axis, each leaflet having an arcuate cusp edge that conforms to a corresponding support frame cusp region and attaches therealong between adjacent commissure regions, and a free edge that coapts with the free edges of the other leaflets to provide one way flow through the valve, the arcuate cusp edges attaching along an undulating line that follows the arcuate cusp regions and along the relatively straight sections of the commissure regions, and the commissure tips may flex in and out from forces associated with fluid pressures on the flexible leaflets,wherein when the valve opens the free edges of the leaflets move outward toward the support frame from fluid flow in an outflow direction and corresponding fluid pressures, and wherein each cantilevered commissure region of the support frame in its relaxed state is angled radially outward so as to provide an outflow orifice area greater than the maximum flow orifice area and induce laminar flow through the valve.
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Abstract
A low pressure gradient prosthetic heart valve for implant in a human. The valve includes a support frame with undulating inflow cusps and outflow commissure posts to which flexible leaflets attach and coapt in a flow area. The commissure posts angle outward in a neutral state to widen the outflow orifice area. Also, the leaflets are designed to fit within the support frame and expand outward in a valve open state without creating a shelf or belly that would restrict flow.
342 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A low pressure gradient prosthetic heart valve, comprising:
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a support frame having a leaflet attachment edge with an undulating shape defined by alternating arcuate inflow cusp regions on an inflow end and arcuate outflow commissure regions on an outflow end, wherein the arcuate cusp regions have large radii of curvatures relative to the arcuate commissure regions so that the commissure regions commence at adjacent relatively straight sections leading up to an arcuate commissure tip, the, the support frame, in a relaxed state, circumscribing a flow volume having a central axis, the flow volume having a maximum flow orifice area perpendicular to the central axis limited by the inflow end of the support frame; a suture-permeable sewing ring surrounding the cusp regions that provides a structural anchor to the surrounding anatomy at an inflow end of the support frame, wherein the commissure regions are cantilevered toward an outflow direction from the cusp regions when anchored to the surrounding anatomy such that the commissure tips may flex radially in and out; and a plurality of flexible leaflets attached to the support frame and extending inward toward the axis, each leaflet having an arcuate cusp edge that conforms to a corresponding support frame cusp region and attaches therealong between adjacent commissure regions, and a free edge that coapts with the free edges of the other leaflets to provide one way flow through the valve, the arcuate cusp edges attaching along an undulating line that follows the arcuate cusp regions and along the relatively straight sections of the commissure regions, and the commissure tips may flex in and out from forces associated with fluid pressures on the flexible leaflets, wherein when the valve opens the free edges of the leaflets move outward toward the support frame from fluid flow in an outflow direction and corresponding fluid pressures, and wherein each cantilevered commissure region of the support frame in its relaxed state is angled radially outward so as to provide an outflow orifice area greater than the maximum flow orifice area and induce laminar flow through the valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 21, 22)
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9. A low pressure gradient prosthetic heart valve, comprising:
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a support frame having a leaflet attachment edge with an undulating shape defined by alternating arcuate inflow cusp regions on an inflow end and arcuate outflow commissure regions on an outflow end, wherein the arcuate cusp regions have large radii of curvatures relative to the arcuate commissure regions so that the commissure regions commence at adjacent relatively straight sections leading up to an arcuate commissure tip, the commissure regions being cantilevered from the cusp regions such that the commissure tips flex in and out during use, the support frame circumscribing a flow volume having a central axis, the flow volume having a maximum flow orifice area perpendicular to the central axis limited by the inflow end of the support frame; a plurality of flexible leaflets attached to the support frame and extending inward toward the axis, each leaflet having an arcuate cusp edge that conforms to a corresponding support frame cusp region and attaches therealong between adjacent commissure regions, and a free edge that coapts with the free edges of the other leaflets to provide one way flow through the valve, wherein each leaflet is symmetric about a central midplane that bisects the free edge and arcuate cusp edge, and the arcuate cusp edge of each leaflet is defined by a complex curve of multiple radii, the cusp edges of the leaflets attaching along an undulating line that follows the arcuate cusp regions and along the relatively straight sections of the commissure regions, wherein when the valve opens the free edges of the leaflets move outward toward the flow volume described by the support frame from fluid flow in an outflow direction and corresponding fluid pressures, and wherein each leaflet has a size and is attached to the corresponding support frame cusp region such that when the valve opens the leaflets spread outward to provide an outflow orifice area that is no less than the maximum flow orifice area. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification