Stents for prosthetic heart valves

US7972378B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Medtronic, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Charles Tabor · Saint Cloud, US
• Carol E. Eberhardt · Fullerton, US
• Timothy G. Laske · Shoreview, US
• Timothy R. Ryan · Shorewood, US
• Joseph C. Morrow · Eden Prairie, US
• Tammy Y. Tam · San Francisco, US
• Brian A. Glynn · Santa Rosa, US
• Anne L. Brody Rubin · San Francisco, US
• J. Michael Tuchek · Berwyn, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 23, 2009
• Grant date: Jul 5, 2011
• Expiry date: Mar 21, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2250/0039
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A stented valve including a stent structure including a generally tubular body portion that has a first end and a second end, wherein an area adjacent the first end has a first stiffness, an area adjacent the second end has a second stiffness, and a central region between the areas at the first and second ends has a third stiffness that is less than the stiffness adjacent the first and second ends, wherein the stent structure can be reconfigured in its central area to match a curved patient anatomical region. The stented valve further includes a valve structure attached within the generally tubular portion.