Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
1 . An insert for use in restraining an animal heart valve against distortion during fixation, said insert comprising: a tubular peripheral wall (37) open at both ends and defining a generally axial passage (39); the peripheral wall (37) having three generally axially extending projections (41, 43, 45), each of the projections (41, 43, 45) terminating axially outwardly in curved end surface as viewed in side elevation, each adjacent pair of the projections being circumferentially spaced by a recess (471; each of the projections C41, 43, 45) having an outer tissue supporting surface (53, 551 closely adjacent its free end, the outer tissue supporting surface (53) of one of the projections (411 lying more radially outwardly of the axis (57) of the passage (39) than the outer tissue supporting surfaces (551 of the other two projections (43, 451 whereby the outer tissue supporting surfaces (53, 55) are arranged eccentrically about the axis of the passage (39); and at least the exposed surface of the insert (17) being constructed of a biocompatible material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
1 . An insert for use in restraining an animal heart valve against distortion during fixation, said insert comprising: a tubular peripheral wall (37) open at both ends and defining a generally axial passage (39); the peripheral wall (37) having three generally axially extending projections (41, 43, 45), each of the projections (41, 43, 45) terminating axially outwardly in curved end surface as viewed in side elevation, each adjacent pair of the projections being circumferentially spaced by a recess (471; each of the projections C41, 43, 45) having an outer tissue supporting surface (53, 551 closely adjacent its free end, the outer tissue supporting surface (53) of one of the projections (411 lying more radially outwardly of the axis (57) of the passage (39) than the outer tissue supporting surfaces (551 of the other two projections (43, 451 whereby the outer tissue supporting surfaces (53, 55) are arranged eccentrically about the axis of the passage (39); and at least the exposed surface of the insert (17) being constructed of a biocompatible material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
An insert according to Claim 1, wherein each of the curved end surfaces is curved as viewed in axial cross section, and the outer tissue supporting surfaces (53,55) lie farther radially outwardly than the peripheral wall (37) adjacent the projections (41, 43, 45).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
An insert according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein each of the projections (41, 43, 45) terminates in an end portion which includes a segment (49, 51 (projecting radially outwardly, the outer tissue supporting surfaces. (53, 55) being provided by the segments (49,51).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An insert according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the tubular wall (37) is transparent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An insert according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein each of the segments (49, 51) includes a curved rib.