Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A prosthetic aortic conduit for replacing a root portion of an aorta, said conduit comprising a first tubular portion and a second portion connected together along a substantially common axis, wherein said second portion does not substantially deform in a longitudinal direction and has resilient means which allow said second portion to be expandable in a lateral direction to mimic the function of the sinuses of Valsalva.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
The prosthetic aortic conduit of Claim 1, wherein said first portion is provided with resilient means which allow expansion of said first portion in a longitudinal direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The prosthetic aortic conduit of either one of Claims 1 and 2, wherein said conduit is made of DACRON or PTFE material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The prosthetic aortic conduit of any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein second portion resilient means comprises longitudinally extending corrugations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The prosthetic aortic conduit of any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said first portion resilient means comprises annular corrugations successively provided along the longitudinal axis of said first portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The prosthetic aortic conduit of any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the first and second portions are made of two distinct tubes which are secured together along said common axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The prosthetic aortic conduit of any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein a third tubular portion is connected to the second portion along said substantially common axis and wherein said third tubular portion is provided with resilient means which allow expansion of said third portion in a longitudinal direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The prosthetic aortic conduit of any one of Claims 1 to 7, which is further provided with a prosthetic valve.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of manufacturing a prosthetic aortic conduit which comprises the following steps: a) providing a first tubular conduit suitable for use in heart surgery, said first conduit having a longitudinal axis and first resilient means allowing some expansion in the longitudinal direction only; and b) securing to one of the ends of this first conduit a second tubular conduit suitable for use in heart surgery, said second conduit having a circumference and second resilient means which allows some expansion in the lateral direction only.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of Claim 9, wherein the first resilient means comprises a plurality of annular corrugations successively provided along the longitudinal axis of the first conduit and wherein the second resilient means comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending corrugations successively provided around the circumference of the second conduit.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
76 words
The method of either one of Claims 9 and 10, wherein said second tubular conduit is made according to following steps: a) taking a tubular conduit suitable for use in heart surgery, said conduit having annular corrugations allowing some expansion in the longitudinal direction only and having two opposite ends; and b) cutting said tubular conduit from end to end; and c) aligning and securing the two opposite ends together to obtain said second tubular conduit.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
24 words
The method of any one of Claims 9 to 11, wherein the first and second tubular conduits are made of Dacron or PTFE material.