Valve Prosthesis

• US 20080077234A1
• Filed: 09/07/2005
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates (W.L. Gore & Associates)
• Original Assignee: Perouse Medical Co.
• Inventors: Styrc, Mikolaj
• Granted Patent: US 7,648,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2409 Support rings therefor, e.g. for connecting valves to tissue annuloplasty rings A61F2/2442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2418 Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0058 soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0078 hyperboloidal

Abstract

The inventive valve prosthesis (10) comprises a flexible plug (54) and an annular bearing reinforcement (12) which is embodied such that it is radially rigid and surgically implantable in the area of a heart valve. Said valve prosthesis is provided with an interchangeable prosthetic valve (50), is independent of the bearing reinforcement (12), endoluminally placeable and comprises a tubular support (52) which is radially deformable between a folded setting position and an unfolded position for implanting into a bearing structure and said flexible plug (54) connected to a tubular support (52). The bearing reinforcement (12) forms an annular support devoid of any plug capable to univocally limit a blood flow circulation.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A valve prosthesis comprising:

a flexible shutter and an annular carrier structure that is radially rigid and suitable for being surgically-implanted at the location of a heart valve;

the prosthesis further comprising;

an interchangeable prosthetic valve independent of the carrier structure for putting into place by an endoluminal approach through said annular carrier structure and comprising;

a tubular support that is radially deformable relative to a main axis between a folded position for putting into place, and a deployed position implanted in the carrier structure, in which the tubular support bears at its periphery against the carrier structure;

said flexible shutter being connected to the tubular support and deformable between an obstruction position in which it is extended transversally and a release position in which it is contracted transversally under the action of the blood flowing through the tubular support;

wherein the carrier structure forms an annular support having no shutter suitable for restricting the flow of blood to one direction only;

wherein the tubular support defines a solid cylindrical wall that is liquid proof; and

wherein the tubular support comprises a tubular lattice covered in a stretchable film that is liquid-proof and that forms said solid cylindrical wall.

12. A valve prosthesis according to claim 11, including at least one rigid member extending generally along a generator line of the tubular support, which member is connected to the tubular support at at least two points that are spaced apart along the axis of the tubular support.

13. A valve prosthesis according to claim 12, wherein the or each member has a projecting end for connection to a prop for holding the prosthetic valve in position.

14. A valve prosthesis according to claim 11, wherein the tubular support presents a generally cylindrical middle trunk and, axially at either end of the trunk, two generally frustoconical collars flaring from the trunk towards the ends of the support.

15. A valve prosthesis according to claim 11, wherein the tubular support is resilient and is shaped to be urged resiliently from its folded position towards its deployed position.

16. A valve prosthesis according to claim 11, wherein the tubular support is extended by converging legs forming a tripod, which legs are connected together at a connection point lying substantially on the axis of the tubular support.

17. A valve prosthesis according to claim 11, wherein the shutter comprises three membranes that are deformable between a closed position in which the free edges of the membranes, over half their length, touch one another in pairs, and an open position for passing blood in which the three membranes are spaced apart from one another.

18. A valve prosthesis according to claim 11, wherein the carrier structure comprises a rigid ring and a set of rigid pegs each extending from the ring parallel to the axis of the ring.

19. A valve prosthesis according to claim 11, wherein the carrier structure includes at its surface a textile sheet making suturing possible.

20. A treatment kit comprising:

a valve prosthesis according to claim 11;

and

a catheter for putting the prosthetic valve into place.