US5279612A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic fixation of porcine aortic valves
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1991-08-02
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Granted: 1994-01-18
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Expires: 2011-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A method of preserving porcine heart valves so that they may be incorporated into prosthetic heart valves for human implant. During fixation, the leaflets of the valves are repeatedly flexed throughout their full range of motion. Flexing of the leaflets continues throughout fixation, and is accomplished by providing for alternating fluid flow through the valve from the inflow and outflow sides sufficient to cause the leaflets to fully open and close.
Inventors
- 👤 Carol E. Eberhardt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:05
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01N; A01N1/00; A01N1/10; A01N1/12; A01N1/122; A01N1/125; A01N1/14; A01N1/142; A01N1/143; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2412; A61F2/2415; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/909; Y10S623/91; Y10S623/92; Y10S623/922
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of preserving porcine heart valves, comprising exposing said valves to a fixative solution while repeatedly alternating fluid flow of said fixative solution through said valves in a fashion to cause repeated full opening and closing of said valves due to fluid flow of said fixative.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of preserving porcine heart valves, comprising exposing said valves to a fixative solution while repeatedly alternating fluid flow of said fixative solution through said valves in a fashion to cause repeated full opening and closing of said valves due to fluid flow of said fixative.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said alternating fluid flow through said valves continues throughout the fixation process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said fixative solution comprises glutaraldehyde.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said method comprises mounting said valves to a plate containing a plurality of orifices, each orifice in the plate in fluid communication with one of said valves and wherein said plate is oscillated within said fixative to cause said repeated alternating fluid flow through said valves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said plate is oscillated between a first position in which said valves are completely submerged within said fixative and a second position wherein said valves emerge from said fixative solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said fixation time continues for a period of at least about three days.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the alternating fluid flow causes opening and closing of said valves at a frequency within the range of normal heart rhythm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A heart valve preserved according to the process of claim 1 or 2.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
A heart valve preserved according to the process of claim 3.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A heart valve preserved according to the process of claim 4 or 5.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
A heart valve preserved according to the process of claim 7.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 7 and wherein the fluid flow is alternated at a frequency of about 30 to about 70 cycles per minute.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 12 and wherein the fluid flow is alternated at a frequency of about 50 cycles per minute.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 5 and wherein the plate is oscillated a distance of about 4 inches in each direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
A heart valve produced according to the process of claim 12.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
A heart valve produced according to the process of claim 13.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
A heart valve produced according to the process of claim 14.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3966401A
Cited
US4372743A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-17 | 1997-07-19 | 1998-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-17 | 2001-07-19 | 2002-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-17 | 2005-07-19 | 2006-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |