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US4222126A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Unitized three leaflet heart valve

Assignee: United States Department of Health and Human Services
•
Filing: 1978-12-14
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Granted: 1980-09-16
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Expires: 1998-12-14
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Abstract

Abstract A polyurethane heart valve has a semirigid frame composed of a base ring and three struts, and an elastomeric membrane integral and unitary with the frame, the contours of which make up three leaflets of the valve. The leading edges of the leaflets which form the commissure line are reinforced with a narrow elastomer band. The leaflets are further reinforced by radiating lines projected from the frame into the leaflet and which simulate collagen formation in natural leaflets. In addition, the transition between the frame and the leaflets is tapered.

Inventors

  • 👤 John W. Boretos
  • 👤 Norio Iriguchi

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-22 19:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2412; F; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/14; F16K15/144; F16K15/147; F16K15/1471; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/90; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7879; Y10T137/788; Y10T137/7882; Y10T137/7885

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 155 words
An artificial heart valve comprising a semirigid polyurethane framework having three projecting symmetrical struts and being open axially therethrough; a polyurethane elastomeric membrane integral with said framework, attached to one end thereof to said struts and the contours of which comprise three leaflets, the leading edges of said three leaflets being reinforced with a narrow band of the same polyurethane elastomeric material which is integral therewith, the leading edges of said three leaflets also being capable of coming together to form a commissure line, said elastomeric membrane being joined to said framework along a tapered transition area of said framework, said elastomeric membrane also having reinforcing lines of greater thickness then said elastomeric membrane and projecting from the boundary of said framework/elastomeric material transition boundary; and a polyurethane suture base, integral with said framework at the end of said framework opposite from said elastomeric membrane, for attaching the valve to the tissues of the heart.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 155 words
An artificial heart valve comprising a semirigid polyurethane framework having three projecting symmetrical struts and being open axially therethrough; a polyurethane elastomeric membrane integral with said framework, attached to one end thereof to said struts and the contours of which comprise three leaflets, the leading edges of said three leaflets being reinforced with a narrow band of the same polyurethane elastomeric material which is integral therewith, the leading edges of said three leaflets also being capable of coming together to form a commissure line, said elastomeric membrane being joined to said framework along a tapered transition area of said framework, said elastomeric membrane also having reinforcing lines of greater thickness then said elastomeric membrane and projecting from the boundary of said framework/elastomeric material transition boundary; and a polyurethane suture base, integral with said framework at the end of said framework opposite from said elastomeric membrane, for attaching the valve to the tissues of the heart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
An artificial heart valve, according to claim 1, wherein the valve is composed of a polyether polyurethane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
An artificial heart valve, according to claim 1, where said struts are between 1/2 and 3/4 of an inch in height.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 17 words
An artificial heart valve, according to claim 1, wherein said suture base is composed of polyurethane foam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 19 words
An artificial heart valve, according to claim 1, wherein said suture base is in the shape of a ring.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2662724A Cited
US3320972A Cited
US3445916A Cited
US3548417A Cited
US3755823A Cited
US3744062A Cited
US3940802A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-09-16 1984-03-17 1984-09-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-09-16 1988-03-17 1988-09-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-09-16 1992-03-17 1992-09-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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