Method of manufacture of a heart valve support frame
US7318278B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 3, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jan 15, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 3, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49995
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods for forming a support frame for flexible leaflet heart valves from a starting blank include converting a two-dimensional starting blank into the three-dimensional support frame. The material may be superelastic, such as NITINOL, and the method may include bending the 2-D blank into the 3-D form and shape setting it. A merely elastic material such as ELGILOY may be used and plastically deformed in stages, possibly accompanied by annealing, to obtain the 3-D shape. Alternatively, a tubular blank could be formed to define a non-tubular shape, typically conical. A method for calculating the precise 2-D blank shape is also disclosed. A mandrel assembly includes a mandrel and ring elements for pressing the blank against the external surface of the mandrel prior to shape setting.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.