Support apparatus and heart valve prosthesis for sutureless implantation
First Claim
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1. A support apparatus to facilitate implantation of a heart valve prosthesis, comprising:
- a base portion curved about an axis, the base portion having axially spaced apart first and second ends and configured to maintain a circumferential length thereof; and
a plurality of fingers extending radially outwardly and generally axially from the base portion, a first set of the fingers extending generally in first axial direction, a second set of the fingers extending generally in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction, such that the first and second sets of fingers extend toward each other to form a clamp-like structure.
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Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for supporting a heart valve at an annulus of an implantation site. The apparatus includes a base portion operative to maintain a circumferential dimension thereof. A plurality of fingers extend axially and radially outwardly from the first end of the support element. A heart valve can be located within the apparatus to provide a prosthesis that can be suturelessly implanted at an annulus of a patient.
634 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A support apparatus to facilitate implantation of a heart valve prosthesis, comprising:
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a base portion curved about an axis, the base portion having axially spaced apart first and second ends and configured to maintain a circumferential length thereof; and
a plurality of fingers extending radially outwardly and generally axially from the base portion, a first set of the fingers extending generally in first axial direction, a second set of the fingers extending generally in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction, such that the first and second sets of fingers extend toward each other to form a clamp-like structure.
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11. (canceled)
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12. A heart valve prosthesis comprising
a base portion curved about an axis, the base portion having axially spaced apart first and second ends and configured to maintain a circumferential length thereof; -
a plurality of fingers extending radially outwardly and generally axially from the base portion, a first set of the fingers extending generally in first axial direction a second set of the fingers extending generally in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction, such that the first and second sets of fingers extend toward each other to form a clamp-like structure; and
a heart valve located substantially coaxially within the base portion, the base portion being located proximal an inflow annulus of the heart valve prosthesis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A heart valve prosthesis comprising:
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a valve member that permits substantially unidirectional flow of fluid through the valve member;
a support element generally around at least a substantial part of a sidewall portion of the valve member to maintain a circumferential dimension thereof, the support element having axially spaced apart first and second ends;
a first set of substantially resilient fingers extending axially and radially outwardly from the first end of the support element; and
a second set of substantially resilient fingers extending axially and radially outwardly from the second end of the support element in a generally opposing relationship relative to the first set of fingers. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification