Heart valve replacements
First Claim
1. A heart valve replacement, comprisinga two-part frame with parts defining a nip therebetween, one part being generally cylindrical, and the other part being generally ring-shaped and wire-like;
- cloth coverings over both frame parts;
at least two leaflets each having a margin passing between the two frame parts and continuing around the wire-like frame part to a line of stitching spaced from the nip and connecting said leaflet to the cloth covering of that wire-like frame part; and
stitching spaced from said nip and between the cloth coverings of the two frames securing said frame parts together;
said nip between the two frame parts defining flexure lines, one along each of said leaflets spaced from the line of stitching between said leaflet and the wire-like frame part and from the stitching securing said two frame parts together, whereby during leaflet flexing tearing of either of said leaflets between stitch holes of the stitching is eliminated.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A heart valve replacement 12 is characterized by a two-part frame with ring-shaped parts 14, 15 and having cloth coverings 16, 17. At least one leaflet 18 is provided having a margin 18X passing between the two parts 14, 15 of the frame and secured by stitching 19 to the cloth covering 16 of one of the frame parts 14. The frame parts are secured together by stitching 20 between the cloth coverings 16, 17 on the outside of both parts whereby the flexure or hinging line 21 of the leaflet 18 is along the nip between the two cloth-covered frame parts 14, 15. Thus, the line 21 is intermediate the main body of the leaflet 18 and the stitching 19, 20, thereby completely eliminating any possibility of tearing between stitch holes.
636 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A heart valve replacement, comprising
a two-part frame with parts defining a nip therebetween, one part being generally cylindrical, and the other part being generally ring-shaped and wire-like; -
cloth coverings over both frame parts; at least two leaflets each having a margin passing between the two frame parts and continuing around the wire-like frame part to a line of stitching spaced from the nip and connecting said leaflet to the cloth covering of that wire-like frame part; and stitching spaced from said nip and between the cloth coverings of the two frames securing said frame parts together; said nip between the two frame parts defining flexure lines, one along each of said leaflets spaced from the line of stitching between said leaflet and the wire-like frame part and from the stitching securing said two frame parts together, whereby during leaflet flexing tearing of either of said leaflets between stitch holes of the stitching is eliminated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification