Flexible heart valve
US6558418B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 6, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2220/0008
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed having a structural stent in a generally cylindrical configuration with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The stent commissures are constructed so that the cusps are pivotably or flexibly coupled together at the commissures to permit relative movement therebetween. The stent may be cloth-covered and may be a single element or may be made in three separate elements for a three cusp valve, each element having a cusp portion and two commissure portions; adjacent commissure portions for each pair of adjacent stent element combining to form the stent commissures. If the stent has separate elements their commissure portions may be pivotably or flexible coupled, or may be designed to completely separate into independent leaflets at bioresorbable couples. The cloth covering may have an outwardly projecting flap that mates with valve leaflets (e.g., pericardial leaflets) along the cusps and commissures. A connecting band may be provided that follows the cusps and commissures and extends outwardly. The valve is connected to the natural tissue along the undulating connecting band using conventional techniques, suc…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.