Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A frame to be used to support a sigmoid valved conduit during surgical implantation and thereafter, and to be affixed to the exterior of the valved conduit, the frame essentially consisting of biocompatible plastics or metals, and having the configuration of an open cage which is substantially circular when viewed from the top and the bottom, and having a side view which is that of a cylinder open in its top and bottom and is formed on its top of three convex curvatures which are joined at equidistant points at the upper circumference of said cylinder, and on its bottom of three convex curvatures which are joined at equidistant points at the bottom circumference of said cylinder, the equidistant joining points of said top and bottom curvatures being connected to one another by three substantially vertically disposed struts, whereby three lateral saddle-shaped substantially paraboloid openings are formed in the cage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A frame to be used to support a sigmoid valved conduit during surgical implantation and thereafter, and to be affixed to the exterior of the valved conduit, the frame essentially consisting of biocompatible plastics or metals, and having the configuration of an open cage which is substantially circular when viewed from the top and the bottom, and having a side view which is that of a cylinder open in its top and bottom and is formed on its top of three convex curvatures which are joined at equidistant points at the upper circumference of said cylinder, and on its bottom of three convex curvatures which are joined at equidistant points at the bottom circumference of said cylinder, the equidistant joining points of said top and bottom curvatures being connected to one another by three substantially vertically disposed struts, whereby three lateral saddle-shaped substantially paraboloid openings are formed in the cage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The frame of claim 1 wherein the material of the frame is biocompatible metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The frame of claim 1 wherein the material of the frame is biocompatible plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The frame of claim 1 wherein the material of the frame is biocompatible reabsorbable or soluble polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The frame of claim 1 dimensioned to be placed on the outside (adventitial) surface of a human aortic valve root to be held by sutures so that the sinuses of Valsava protrude through the side openings of the frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The frame of claim 1 dimensioned to be placed on the outside (adventitial) surface of a human pulmonary valve root so that the sinuses of Valsava protrude through the side openings of the frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The frame of claim 1 dimensioned to be placed on the outside (adventitial) surface of an animal aortic valve root so that the sinuses of Valsalva protrude through the side openings of the frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The frame of claim 1 dimensioned to be placed on the outside (adventitial) surface of an animal pulmonary valve root so that the sinuses of Valsava protrude through the side openings of the frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
256 words
A prosthetic sigmoid valve complex to be used for surgical implantation to replace a resected native sigmoid valve complex, comprising in combination: a valved conduit comprising biological tissue or biocompatible synthetic membrane, having the configuration of a tube having three bulges in its exterior, said bulges conforming to the shape of the sinuses of Valsalva of the human heart and having a trileaflet valve in its interior; a frame affixed to the exterior of the valved conduit, the frame consisting of material selected from biocompatible plastics and metals, and having the configuration of an open cage which is substantially circular when viewed from the top and the bottom, and having a side view which is that of a cylinder open in its top and bottom and is formed on its top of three convex curvatures which are joined at equidistant points at the upper circumference of said cylinder, and on its bottom of three convex curvatures which are joined at equidistant points at the lower circumference of said cylinder, the equidistant joining points of said top and bottom curvatures being connected to one another by three substantially vertically disposed struts, whereby three lateral saddle-shaped substantially paraboloid openings are formed in the cage, the frame being affixed on the exterior of the valved conduit in a position wherein the bulges conforming to the shape of the sinuses of Valsalva are disposed within the paraboloid openings of the cage, and the vertical struts are aligned with commissures formed in the valve leaflet within the interior of the conduit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
256 words
A prosthetic sigmoid valve complex to be used for surgical implantation to replace a resected native sigmoid valve complex, comprising in combination: a valved conduit comprising biological tissue or biocompatible synthetic membrane, having the configuration of a tube having three bulges in its exterior, said bulges conforming to the shape of the sinuses of Valsalva of the human heart and having a trileaflet valve in its interior; a frame affixed to the exterior of the valved conduit, the frame consisting of material selected from biocompatible plastics and metals, and having the configuration of an open cage which is substantially circular when viewed from the top and the bottom, and having a side view which is that of a cylinder open in its top and bottom and is formed on its top of three convex curvatures which are joined at equidistant points at the upper circumference of said cylinder, and on its bottom of three convex curvatures which are joined at equidistant points at the lower circumference of said cylinder, the equidistant joining points of said top and bottom curvatures being connected to one another by three substantially vertically disposed struts, whereby three lateral saddle-shaped substantially paraboloid openings are formed in the cage, the frame being affixed on the exterior of the valved conduit in a position wherein the bulges conforming to the shape of the sinuses of Valsalva are disposed within the paraboloid openings of the cage, and the vertical struts are aligned with commissures formed in the valve leaflet within the interior of the conduit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The sigmoid valve complex of claim 9 wherein the valved conduit consists essentially of biological tissue and surgical stitching and wherein the valve in the interior of the valved conduit is formed of three leaflets disposed in the interior of the conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sigmoid valve complex of claim 10 wherein the valved conduit is formed of autologous pericardium tissue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sigmoid valve complex of claim 10 wherein the valved conduit is formed of homologous pericardium tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sigmoid valve complex of claim 10 wherein the valved conduit is formed of heterologous pericardium tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sigmoid valve complex of claim 10 wherein the valved conduit is formed of synthetic membrane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sigmoid valve complex of claim 9 wherein the material of the frame is biocompatible metal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sigmoid valve complex of claim 9 wherein the material of the frame is biocompatible plastic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sigmoid valve complex of claim 9 wherein the material of the frame is biocompatible reabsorbable or soluble polymers.