Patent · US Expired

Pivot for mechanical heart valve prothesis

US5741328A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
5References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 13, 1996
Grant dateApr 21, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 13, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F2/2403
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A pivot mechanism for a mechanical heart prosthesis includes internal recesses on an inside surface of an orifice ring having portions thereof near the recesses tapered to reduce flow resistance and minimize turbulence to improve hemodynamic efficiency of the heart valve prosthesis, to reduce its hemolytic potential, and possibly reduce its thrombogenicity by having no regions of stasis within the recess. The pivot mechanism for the mechanical heart valve prosthesis enables contact between the entire length of tabs of the heart valve leaflets and the sides of the recesses when the leaflets are in both the fully open and fully closed positions. This increases the contact area between the tabs and the recesses, reducing the magnitude of the contact stresses and, therefore, improving the durability of the device. The pivot mechanism minimizes translation of the leaflets to improve hemodynamic efficiency of the device and to reduce the impact forces within the pivot mechanism for improved durability and quieter closure.

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