Rolled minimally-invasive heart valves and methods of manufacture
US7374571B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2220/0075
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Expandable heart valves for minimally invasive valve replacement surgeries are disclosed. The valves are rolled into a first, contracted configuration for minimally invasive delivery using a catheter, and then unrolled or unfurled at the implantation site. One- and two-piece stents may be used in conjunction with a plurality of flexible leaflet-forming membranes. The stents may include an annulus section, a sinus section with the membranes attached over sinus apertures, and an outflow section. Lockout tabs and making slots secure the stents in their expanded shapes. Alignment structure ensures concentric unfurling of the stent. Anchoring elements at the stent edges or in the stent body secure the valve within the annulus. A method of manufacture includes shape setting the sheet-like stent to ensure an outward bias during deployment. The stent may also include dear tracks for engagement with a gear mechanism for deployment. The stent is desirably made of a superelastic material such as Nitinol and may have areas removed or thinned to reduce the bending stresses when rolled into its small spiral for catheter delivery.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.