US5607470A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suture rings for prosthetic heart valves
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-05-01
•
Granted: 1997-03-04
•
Expires: 2015-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A suture ring assembly for a prosthetic heart valve is provided which includes a suture ring body, suture ring flange, and an interior engagement surface that are formed as a unitary structure composed of pyrocarbon material or the like. The suture ring flange extends radially outward from said suture ring body and may be of an arcuate or straight design. Moreover, the suture ring flange has a plurality of pre-fabricated holes extending axially therethrough and is particularly designed for securing the assembly to the residual heart tissue. The suture ring interior engagement surface is proportioned to surround the exterior surface of the valve body such that it can rotate relative to the heart valve body. The suture ring assembly and the valve body are specifically designed to axially engage each other so as to prevent disengagement in either axial direction. Any axial displacements that may occur during the opening and closing of the prosthetic heart valve are absorbed or dampened with spring-like, shock-absorbing mechanisms formed as part of a retaining ring which is part of the suture ring assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Simcha Milo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2409
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A suture ring assembly for a heart valve, said suture ring assembly comprises: a suture ring having an interior surface proportioned to surround an exterior surface of a generally annular valve body and rotate relative to said valve body, said suture ring further adapted to axially engage with said valve body; and an annular retaining ring dimensioned to fit in a space between said interior surface of said suture ring and said exterior surface of said valve body, said annular retaining ring being adapted for maintaining engagement between said valve body and said suture ring and to prevent disengagement thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A suture ring assembly for a heart valve, said suture ring assembly comprises: a suture ring having an interior surface proportioned to surround an exterior surface of a generally annular valve body and rotate relative to said valve body, said suture ring further adapted to axially engage with said valve body; and an annular retaining ring dimensioned to fit in a space between said interior surface of said suture ring and said exterior surface of said valve body, said annular retaining ring being adapted for maintaining engagement between said valve body and said suture ring and to prevent disengagement thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The suture ring assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a suture ring flange extending radially outward from said suture ring and having a plurality of holes extending therethrough in a generally axial direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The suture ring assembly according to claim 2 wherein said suture ring and suture ring flange are part of a unitary structure composed of pyrocarbon material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The suture ring assembly according to claim 2 wherein said suture ring flange has a plurality of serrations on a downstream surface of said suture ring flange.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The suture ring assembly according to claim 2 further comprising a sealing ring disposed on an upstream surface of said suture ring flange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The suture ring assembly according to claim 1 wherein said suture ring further comprises a circular protrusion extending radially inward from said interior surface of said suture ring and adapted for axial engagement with a circular ledge protruding from said exterior surface or said valve body such that said suture ring rotates in bearing contact with said circular ledge of said valve body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The suture ring assembly according to claim 6 wherein said retaining ring further includes a means for dampening small axial displacements of said valve body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
The suture ring assembly according to claim 7 wherein said dampening means further comprises: a plurality of displacement members disposed along an edge of said retaining ring, said retaining ring having a plurality of oblique slits which define displacement cavities proximate said displacement members; and a heel axially extending from each said displacement member and engaging said circular protrusion of said suture ring; wherein said displacement members absorb small axial displacements of said valve body by deflecting within said displacement cavities.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The suture ring assembly according to claim 1 wherein said retaining ring is interposed between said interior surface of said suture ring and said exterior surface of said valve body downstream with respect to said suture ring flange.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The suture ring assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a second annular retaining ring interposed between said interior surface of said suture ring and said exterior surface of said valve body, said annular retaining ring being disposed upstream of said suture ring flange and said second annular retaining ring being disposed downstream of said suture ring flange.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
201 words
A suture ring and heart valve combination comprising: a heart valve having a generally annular valve body providing a blood flow passageway and occluder means mounted within said valve body for opening and closing said passageway; a suture ring having an interior surface constructed to surround an exterior surface of said valve body and rotate relative to said valve body, said suture ring including a circular protrusion extending radially inward from said interior surface of said suture ring, said valve body having a circular ledge protruding from said exterior surface of said valve body which axially engages said circular protrusion so as to prevent disengagement thereof in one axial direction, said suture ring being adapted to rotate in bearing contact with said circular ledge of said valve body; an annular retaining ring located in a space between said interior surface of said suture ring and said exterior surface of said valve body for maintaining axial engagement between said valve body and said suture ring so as to prevent disengagement thereof in the other axial direction; and a suture ring flange extending radially outward from said suture ring and further having a plurality of holes extending therethrough in a generally axial direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
201 words
A suture ring and heart valve combination comprising: a heart valve having a generally annular valve body providing a blood flow passageway and occluder means mounted within said valve body for opening and closing said passageway; a suture ring having an interior surface constructed to surround an exterior surface of said valve body and rotate relative to said valve body, said suture ring including a circular protrusion extending radially inward from said interior surface of said suture ring, said valve body having a circular ledge protruding from said exterior surface of said valve body which axially engages said circular protrusion so as to prevent disengagement thereof in one axial direction, said suture ring being adapted to rotate in bearing contact with said circular ledge of said valve body; an annular retaining ring located in a space between said interior surface of said suture ring and said exterior surface of said valve body for maintaining axial engagement between said valve body and said suture ring so as to prevent disengagement thereof in the other axial direction; and a suture ring flange extending radially outward from said suture ring and further having a plurality of holes extending therethrough in a generally axial direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein said suture ring and suture ring flange are a unitary structure composed of pyrocarbon material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein said retaining ring further includes a means for dampening small axial displacements of said valve body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination according to claim 13 wherein said dampening means is disposed along an edge of said retaining ring proximate said circular protrusion of said suture ring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
77 words
The combination according to claim 14 wherein said dampening means comprises: a plurality of displacement members disposed along said edge of said retaining ring said retaining ring having a plurality of oblique slits which define displacement cavities proximate said displacement members; and a heel axially extending from each said displacement member and engaging said circular protrusion of suture ring; whereby said displacement members absorb small axial displacements of said valve body by deflecting within said displacement cavities.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein said suture ring flange has a plurality of serrations either on an upstream surface of said suture ring flange or on a downstream surface of said suture ring flange.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
140 words
A heart valve prosthesis comprising: a generally annular valve body providing a blood flow passageway and occluder means mounted within said valve body for opening and closing said passageway; a suture ring having an interior surface and being proportioned to surround an exterior surface of said valve body and rotate relative to said valve body; said suture ring and said valve body being constructed so that disengagement thereof in one axial direction is prevented; and retaining means for preventing disengagement of said valve body and said suture ring in the other axial direction; said suture ring having a suture ring flange extending radially outward from said suture ring which has a plurality of holes extending therethrough in a generally axial direction; and said suture ring flange having an arcuate configuration adapted to simulate a configuration of residual aortic natural leaflets.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
140 words
A heart valve prosthesis comprising: a generally annular valve body providing a blood flow passageway and occluder means mounted within said valve body for opening and closing said passageway; a suture ring having an interior surface and being proportioned to surround an exterior surface of said valve body and rotate relative to said valve body; said suture ring and said valve body being constructed so that disengagement thereof in one axial direction is prevented; and retaining means for preventing disengagement of said valve body and said suture ring in the other axial direction; said suture ring having a suture ring flange extending radially outward from said suture ring which has a plurality of holes extending therethrough in a generally axial direction; and said suture ring flange having an arcuate configuration adapted to simulate a configuration of residual aortic natural leaflets.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A heart valve according to claim 17 wherein said retaining means comprises an annular retaining ring located in a space between said interior surface of said suture ring and said exterior surface of said valve body.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
A heart valve according to claim 18 wherein said valve body is formed with a circular ledge, and said suture ring is formed with a radially inwardly extending circular protrusion, which together prevent disengagement in said one axial direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
A heart valve according to claim 18 wherein said retaining ring is proportioned to form a tight interference fit with said exterior surface of said valve body and has dampening means formed along an edge thereof which lies proximate a downstream surface of said circular protrusion of said suture ring, said dampening means being designed to absorb small axial displacements of said valve body.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3587115A
Cited
US3503079A
Cited
US3574865A
Cited
US3763548A
Cited
US3839741A
Cited
US4366581A
Cited
US4535483A
Cited
US4790843A
Cited
US5104406A
Cited
US5035709A
Cited
US5071431A
Cited
US5192309A
Cited
US5397346A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-03 | 2000-09-02 | 2001-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-03 | 2004-09-02 | 2005-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-03 | 2008-09-02 | 2009-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |