Holder for flexible heart valve
US6736845B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 18, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2220/0075
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A holder for a highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed that maintains an implant shape to the valve. The holder may have cusp and commissure contacting supports, and may be attached at all six such supports, or only three. The holder may be flexible to permit inward flexing of the heart valve during implant for greater visibility when implanting using a running suture method. The holder may be formed of flexible wires such as Nitinol, and shaped to resist excessive axial and torsional deformation of the valve. A short handle connector suitable for manual grasping may be attached and stored with the valve, with the handle connector having a coupling for receiving a longer delivery handle. A two stage holder may be utilized to accommodate different implant methods.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.