SURGICAL HEART VALVE FLEXIBLE STENT FRAME STIFFENER

• US 20140214158A1
• Filed: 01/29/2013
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chalekian, Aaron J., Board, Stephanie Marie, Ambrus, Jeffrey Ross, Smith, Joseph Donald, Wojcik, Deborah Ann, Vue, Mai Sia
• Granted Patent: US 9,655,719 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.14
• 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 2220/0075 sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0018 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility

Abstract

A prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame having annularly spaced commissure portions and an annulus portion disposed near an inflow edge, a fabric covering at least a portion of the frame and a valve assembly connected to the frame at the commissure portions, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets. A stiffening member is disposed about the frame to limit ovalization of the frame when a radial force is applied to the frame.

Claims

1. A prosthetic heart valve, comprising:

an annular frame having annularly spaced commissure portions and an annulus portion disposed near an inflow edge;

a fabric covering a portion of the frame;

a valve assembly connected to the frame at the commissure portions, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets;

a stiffening member closely arranged adjacent an annulus portion of the frame to limit ovalization of the frame when a radial force is applied to the frame.

2. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the stiffening member includes a ring disposed about a portion of the frame.

3. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 2, wherein the ring includes at least one chamfer.

4. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the stiffening member comprises a metal.

5. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the stiffening member is disposed about the annulus portion of the frame.

6. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the stiffening member is biocompatible.

7. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the stiffening member is disposed about the outer diameter of the frame.

8. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the stiffening member is disposed adjacent the inner diameter of the frame.

9. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the stiffening member is at least partially wrapped in a fabric.

10. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the stiffening member includes a scalloped portion.

11. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the stiffening member includes at least one chamfer.

12. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein a chamfer is formed on a bottom edge the stiffening member.

13. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the stiffening member is operatively coupled to the frame.