Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for repairing a human heart valve, comprising the steps of cutting a single sheet of a natural or artificial sheet material into the shape of an excised human heart valve including at least one trabeculated tier of chordae tendineae, said tier terminating in a papillary muscle graft tab, and surgically implanting the cut sheet material into the heart of a patient in whom heart valve repair is indicated.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for repairing a human heart valve, comprising the steps of cutting a single sheet of a natural or artificial sheet material into the shape of an excised human heart valve including at least one trabeculated tier of chordae tendineae, said tier terminating in a papillary muscle graft tab, and surgically implanting the cut sheet material into the heart of a patient in whom heart valve repair is indicated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of cutting a natural or artificial sheet material is conducted with a cutting tool having blades configured in the shape of an excised human heart valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of cutting a natural or artificial sheet material is conducted with a cutting tool having blades configured in the shape of an excised human mitral valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein said sheet material is selected from the group consisting of autologous pericardium, autologous fascia lata, autologous dura mater, bovine pericardium, porcine pericardium and biocompatible polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said sheet material is autologous pericardium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein said shape of an excised human mitral valve further comprises an anterior leaflet connected to a posterior leaflet, a plurality of papillary muscle graft tabs and a plurality of chordae tendineae connecting said leaflets to said papillary muscle graft tabs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein said shape of an excised human mitral valve includes about 20 chordae tendineae.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cutting tool for preparing a human heart valve graft, comprising a backing and at least one blade configured in the shape of an excised human heart valve including at least one trabeculated tier of chordae tendineae, wherein said chordae tendineae have papillary muscle graft tabs appended thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cutting tool for preparing a human heart valve graft, comprising a backing and at least one blade configured in the shape of an excised human heart valve including at least one trabeculated tier of chordae tendineae, wherein said chordae tendineae have papillary muscle graft tabs appended thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cutting tool according to claim 8 wherein said at least one blade is disposable, said backing is autoclavable, and said tool is adapted for inclusion in a mechanical cutting system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cutting tool for preparing a human heart valve graft, comprising a substrate bearing cutouts defining the shape of an excised human mitral valve including chordae tendineae.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cutting tool for preparing a human heart valve graft, comprising a substrate bearing cutouts defining the shape of an excised human mitral valve including chordae tendineae.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for repairing a human mitral valve, comprising the steps of: excising at least a portion of the pericardium, in a single piece, of a patient in whom mitral valve repair is indicated; cutting said pericardium into the shape of a human mitral valve including at least one trabeculated tier of chordae tendineae terminating in a papillary muscle graft tab; curing the pericardium thus cut in a crosslinking solution, followed by rinsing; and surgically implanting the cut and cured pericardium in the heart of a patient in whom mitral valve replacement is indicated.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for repairing a human mitral valve, comprising the steps of: excising at least a portion of the pericardium, in a single piece, of a patient in whom mitral valve repair is indicated; cutting said pericardium into the shape of a human mitral valve including at least one trabeculated tier of chordae tendineae terminating in a papillary muscle graft tab; curing the pericardium thus cut in a crosslinking solution, followed by rinsing; and surgically implanting the cut and cured pericardium in the heart of a patient in whom mitral valve replacement is indicated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said step of cutting said pericardium is conducted with a cutting tool having blades configured in the shape of an excised human mitral valve including chordae tendineae.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said shape of an excised human mitral valve including chordae tendineae further comprises an anterior leaflet connected to a posterior leaflet, a plurality of papillary muscle graft tabs and a plurality of chordae tendineae connecting said leaflets to said papillary muscle graft tabs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein said shape of an excised human mitral valve further includes about 20 chordae tendineae.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein said chordae tendineae are trabeculated.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein said crosslinking solution is aqueous glutaraldehyde.