Flexible heart valve having moveable commissures
US6461382B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2220/0075
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A flexible prosthetic tissue-type heart valve having commissures that are substantially decoupled from a cusp support structure. The valve includes three leaflets having arcuate cusp edges and opposed free edges, with outwardly-directed attachment tabs therebetween. A cusp support structure in either one or more pieces attaches to the leaflet cusp edges. Three commissures are each formed partly with an axially-extending insert member to which two adjacent leaflet tabs attach. An inverted V-shaped clip maintains close contact between the adjacent leaflet tabs and provides a stress-relieving clamping action in conjunction with the insert member. The insert member attaches about its lower end to base sections of the cusp support structure, or to an intermediate sewing ring, so that the commissures may pivot about the cusp support structure. The sewing band is scalloped and enables attachment of the valve along the scalloped aortic root so as to couple the valve to the natural motion of the aorta. Increased vibrational damping results from this biomechanical coupling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.