US4655772A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cardiac valvular prosthesis
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-05-28
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Granted: 1987-04-07
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Expires: 2005-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A mechanical-type, bivalve cardiac valvular prosthesis including a support ring defining a central opening passing therethrough and a pair of relatively rigid leaflets, each having a diametrical straight edge and a curved edge, disposed generally within the central opening. The pair of leaflets are pivotably supported on the support ring to permit the leaflets to move between an open position, in which the leaflets are disposed generally parallel to the axis of the support ring so that said central opening remains substantially cleared, and a closed position, in which the opening is substantially blocked by the leaflets. The leaflets are each pivotably supported by a pair of pivot supports rigidly joined at one end to the inner surface of the support ring and each having an opposite, generally hook-shaped, free end on which the leaflet associated therewith is mounted in a free floating manner so that the leaflets are pivotable about a virtual axis parallel to the diametrical straight edges thereof and passing through the zone of the center of curvature of the hook-shaped ends of the pivot supports.
Inventors
- 👤 Holga E. T. De Liotta
- 👤 Domingo S. Liotta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2403; A61F2/2406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A mechanical-type, bivalve cardiac valvular prosthesis comprising: a support ring defining a central opening passing therethrough; a pair of relatively rigid leaflets disposed generally within said central opening, each of said leaflets having a diametrical straight edge and a curved edge; and means for pivotably supporting said pair of leaflets on said support ring to permit said leaflets to move between an open position, in which said leaflets are disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said support ring so that said central opening is substantially open and divided by said leaflets into two semi-circular areas disposed on either side of a generally rectangular central area, and a closed position, in which said opening is substantially blocked by said leaflets contacting each other substantially diametrically along their straight central edges, and contacting said support ring only along their curved edges, said means comprising a pair of spaced apart parallel pivot supports for each of said leaflets, said pivot supports each being rigidly joined at one end to said ring, and each having an opposite, generally semicircular hook-shaped, free end on which the leaflet associated therewith is mounted in a free floating manner so that said leaflets are freely and independently pivotable about a virtual axis parallel to said diametrical straight edges thereof and passing through the zone of the center of curvature of said hook-shaped ends of said pivot supports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
A mechanical-type, bivalve cardiac valvular prosthesis comprising: a support ring defining a central opening passing therethrough; a pair of relatively rigid leaflets disposed generally within said central opening, each of said leaflets having a diametrical straight edge and a curved edge; and means for pivotably supporting said pair of leaflets on said support ring to permit said leaflets to move between an open position, in which said leaflets are disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said support ring so that said central opening is substantially open and divided by said leaflets into two semi-circular areas disposed on either side of a generally rectangular central area, and a closed position, in which said opening is substantially blocked by said leaflets contacting each other substantially diametrically along their straight central edges, and contacting said support ring only along their curved edges, said means comprising a pair of spaced apart parallel pivot supports for each of said leaflets, said pivot supports each being rigidly joined at one end to said ring, and each having an opposite, generally semicircular hook-shaped, free end on which the leaflet associated therewith is mounted in a free floating manner so that said leaflets are freely and independently pivotable about a virtual axis parallel to said diametrical straight edges thereof and passing through the zone of the center of curvature of said hook-shaped ends of said pivot supports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said leaflets are planar and each has a generally semicircular configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said virtual axes are spaced apart at a distance equivalent to about one-third of the diameter of said support ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said pivot supports are made of wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein each pair of pivot supports are joined to opposite regions of said support ring and project inwardly therefrom toward the center of said ring, but spaced apart from one another to define a central free zone which determines the mutual separation between the leaflets in their total opening position and wherein said leaflets in said totally open position form an angle of up to 90° with respect to a plane passing through the virtual axes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the distance between the center points of said arcuate edge and said straight edge of said leaflets is greater than the inner radius of said support ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein each of said leaflets has a pair of orifices formed therethrough through which said free ends of said pivot supports pass, and wherein said orifices are located at a distance from the diametrical straight edge of the leaflets associated therewith which is less than half the distance between the central points of said straight edge and said arcuate edges of said associated leaflets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The prosthesis of claim 7, wherein said hook-shaped end portions of said pivot supports have tips which are located at a distance from the inner surface of said support ring, at the point at which said one end of the corresponding pivot support is joined thereto, which is less than the distance between the corresponding orifice of the leaflets and the central point of the arcuate edge thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The prosthesis of claim 7, wherein in the total closed position, said leaflets form an angle of about 40° with respect to a plane passing through the virtual axes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein said pivot supports for each of said leaflets oppose each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein a stem is rigidly affixed to at least one of said leaflets in order to aid in simultaneous opening of said leaflets.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein each pivot support passes through an associated orifice in one of said leaflets, and different degrees of opening of said central opening may be provided, as medically required, by varying the position of said orifices on said leaflets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The prosthesis of claim 12, wherein each support includes a bulbous segment generally disposed within said associated orifice.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-04-06 | 1990-10-06 | 1991-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-06 | 1994-10-06 | 1995-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-06 | 1998-10-06 | 1999-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |