Cardiac valve, system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A valve comprising:
- a frame having a longitudinal frame length measured from a first frame end member to a second frame end member, the longitudinal frame length being uniform at all locations about an entire circumference of the frame, the frame defining a first valve end;
a cover engaged to an outer surface of the frame and having an edge terminating at the first frame end member about the entire circumference of the frame, the cover including leaflets movable relative to the frame, wherein when the valve is fully open the cover including the leaflets defines a variable longitudinal cover length comprising;
minimum longitudinal cover lengths equal to the longitudinal frame length, andmaximum longitudinal cover lengths greater than the longitudinal frame length,each minimum longitudinal cover length is positioned between two maximum longitudinal cover lengths, andeach maximum longitudinal cover length is positioned between two minimum longitudinal cover lengths, anda number of locations with the maximum longitudinal cover length is equal to a number of the leaflets.
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Abstract
A cardiac valve with a support frame having a first end member and a second end member opposing the first end member in a substantially fixed distance relationship, and a cover extending over the support frame to allow for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve.
638 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A valve comprising:
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a frame having a longitudinal frame length measured from a first frame end member to a second frame end member, the longitudinal frame length being uniform at all locations about an entire circumference of the frame, the frame defining a first valve end; a cover engaged to an outer surface of the frame and having an edge terminating at the first frame end member about the entire circumference of the frame, the cover including leaflets movable relative to the frame, wherein when the valve is fully open the cover including the leaflets defines a variable longitudinal cover length comprising; minimum longitudinal cover lengths equal to the longitudinal frame length, and maximum longitudinal cover lengths greater than the longitudinal frame length, each minimum longitudinal cover length is positioned between two maximum longitudinal cover lengths, and each maximum longitudinal cover length is positioned between two minimum longitudinal cover lengths, and a number of locations with the maximum longitudinal cover length is equal to a number of the leaflets. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A valve comprising:
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a tubular frame with a first frame end comprising convex curves and concave curves, each concave curve of the first frame end having a maximum depth measured parallel to a longitudinal axis of the valve, and each concave curve of the first frame end extending between two convex curves of the first frame end; and leaflets for regulating flow through the tubular frame, wherein each leaflet extends across an area defined between two circumferentially adjacent convex frame portions of the first frame end and extends a maximum longitudinal distance beyond the first frame end greater than the maximum depth of the concave curve of the first frame end when the leaflets are fully open; wherein the tubular frame further includes a second frame end comprising convex curves and concave curves, and a plurality of longitudinally-oriented cross-members extending between the first frame end and the second frame end; wherein the first frame end is substantially parallel to the second frame end as viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve; wherein when the leaflets are closed, at least a portion of an outward facing surface of each leaflet disposed between the first frame end and a free edge of the leaflet is oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve; each leaflet having a curved free edge curving longitudinally outward from the two circumferentially adjacent convex frame portions when the valve is in the open configuration. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification