Prosthetic heart valve packaging and deployment methods

US9295539B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Fred Hodshon · Orange, US
• Rafael Pintor · Mission Viejo, US
• August R. Yambao · Temecula, US
• Abhishek Gautam · Utica, US
• Louis A. Campbell · Santa Ana, US
• Lawrence Farhat · Oceanside, US
• Tammy Huntley · Santa Ana, US
• Faisal Kalam · Anaheim, US
• Travis Zenyo Oba · Yorba Linda, US
• Qinggang Zeng · Mission Viejo, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 23, 2012
• Grant date: Mar 29, 2016
• Expiry date: Jan 22, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2220/0075
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Packaging for prosthetic heart valves including an assembly for securely retaining a heart valve within a jar and facilitating retrieval therefrom. The assembly includes a packaging sleeve that fits closely within the jar and has a clip structure for securing a valve holder. Contrary to previous designs, in one embodiment the valve holder is directed downward into the jar, and the valve is retained with an inflow end upward. The valve may have flexible leaflets, and a leaflet parting member on the end of the shaft extends through the leaflets and couples with the valve holder. The assembly of the packaging sleeve, valve, and holder can then be removed from the jar and a valve delivery tube connected with the holder, or to the leaflet parting member. The packaging sleeve may be bifurcated into two halves connected at a living hinge to facilitate removal from around the valve/holder subassembly.