EP0179562A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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A heart valve prosthesis
Assignee: University of Glasgow
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Filing: 1985-09-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-09-16
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a heart valve prosthesis in which a plurality of heart valve leaflets (17) are mounted on a frame (11) from which a plurality of leaflet-mounting pins (15) extend. A surrounding sleeve (18) surrounds the frame (11) in order to clamp the leaflets (17) in position between frame (11) and sleeve (18).
Inventors
- 👤 John Fisher
- 👤 David John Wheatley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:49
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2412
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A heart valve prosthesis comprising an annular support frame (11) for a plurality of flexible tissue valve elements (17), said support frame (11) having a plurality of spaced posts (13) defining openings therebetween to permit a portion of each valve element (17) to flex from an open position to a closed position, and means for securing the valve elements to the support frame characterised in that the means for securing the valve elements (17) to the support comprises an annular sleeve (18) concentric with said support frame (11) adapted to clamp a non-flexing portion of each valve element (17), in operative position between the support frame (11) and said sleeve (18).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A heart valve prosthesis comprising an annular support frame (11) for a plurality of flexible tissue valve elements (17), said support frame (11) having a plurality of spaced posts (13) defining openings therebetween to permit a portion of each valve element (17) to flex from an open position to a closed position, and means for securing the valve elements to the support frame characterised in that the means for securing the valve elements (17) to the support comprises an annular sleeve (18) concentric with said support frame (11) adapted to clamp a non-flexing portion of each valve element (17), in operative position between the support frame (11) and said sleeve (18).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 1, in which the support frame (11), and the sleeve (18) are adapted to be releasably secured to each other by means of a plurality of interengaging projections (15) extending therebetween and on which the valve elements (17) are mounted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 2, in which the projections (15) are formed on the support frame (11) and extend outwardly therefrom to engage holesll9a) in the surrounding sleeve (18).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, in which the sleeve (18) is provided with a plurality of integral extensions (20), each of which is adapted to overlie one of the posts (13) of the support frame (11).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 4, in which each frame post (13) is provided with a projecting stud or studs (16) on which the valve elements (17) are mounted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 5, in which each projecting stud (16) is formed on the support frame post (13) and is provided with means for securing a valve element or elements (17) thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 6, in which the securing means is a washer or the like adapted to be releasably clipped on to its associated stud (16).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any of claims 4 to 7, in which each sleeve extension (20) has formed therein a slot (21) adapted to receive means for joining adjacent tissue leaflets (17).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any preceding claim in which the sleeve (18) is provided with a plurality of slits (22) spaced circumferentially from each other and each extending partially along the length of the sleeve (18), said slits (22) permitting deformation of the sleeve (18) in order to enable releasable interengagement of the sleeve (18) about the support frame (11).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any preceding claim, in which an annular locking ring (30) is provided for location about the external surface of the sleeve in order to retain the sleeve (18) in engagement with the support frame (11) .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the support frame (11) is entirely surrounded by a covering (24) of tissue whereby the inner face of the covered support frame (11) is seamless.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 11, in which the base (12) of the frame (11) and the sleeve (18) is covered with a continuous piece of tissue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A prosthesis as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the sleeve (18) is entirely surrounded by a covering (27) of cloth.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 13, in which the cloth covering (27) has an extension formed into a sewing ring (36) extending around the outer circumference of the prosthesis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 4, in which the integral extensions (20) of the sleeve (18) are linked by a connecting suture (23) to reduce the possibility of snaring during insertion of the prosthesis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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