Patent · US Expired

Heart valve prostheses

US5522886A · kind A · utility

47Cited by
20References
20Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 29, 1994
Grant dateJun 4, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 29, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7903
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Check valves for fluid flow, particularly for use as replacement heart valves, employ annular valve bodies with hinge arrangements which support one or more occluders for movement between open and closed orientations. Illustrated are single occluder and tri-leaflet valves in which each occluder is pivotally mounted by pegs of oval cross-section that protrude from opposite lateral surfaces and are received in sockets formed in the interior surface of an annular valve body. One valve is constructed with a unique shape for advantageous employment in the mitral or tricuspid position. The inflow surface of each occluder is formed with a convex surface region, preferably of cycloidal shape, at a downstream location preferably adjacent the downstream edge and spaced a substantial distance from the pivot axis. Upon initial reverse flow of blood, a low pressure region forms which creates a suction effect causing immediate initiation of pivoting movement of the occluder toward the center of the flow passageway. This force is magnified by the moment arm resulting from the spacing and assures the prompt beginning of closing movement, which is swiftly completed as a result of the strategic loca…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.