Minimally-invasive heart valve with cusp positioners
US7399315B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2220/0075
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A prosthetic heart valve having an internal support frame with a continuous, undulating leaflet frame defined therein. The leaflet frame has three cusp regions positioned at an inflow end intermediate three commissure regions positioned at an outflow end thereof. The leaflet frame may be cloth covered and flexible leaflets attached thereto form occluding surfaces of the valve. The support frame further includes three cusp positioners rigidly fixed with respect to the leaflet frame and located at the outflow end of the support frame intermediate each pair of adjacent commissure regions. The valve is desirably compressible so as to be delivered in a minimally invasive manner through a catheter to the site of implantation. Upon expulsion from catheter, the valve expands into contact with the surrounding native valve annulus and is anchored in place without the use of sutures. In the aortic valve position, the cusp positioners angle outward into contact with the sinus cavities, and compress the native leaflets if they are not excised, or the aortic wall if they are. The support frame may be formed from a flat sheet of Nitinol that is bent into a three-dimensional configuration and heat…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.