US5612885A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for constructing a heart valve stent
Assignee: PFG AUTOGENICS INVESTMENTS LLC
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Filing: 1995-06-06
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Granted: 1997-03-18
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Expires: 2015-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A method for constructing stents for autologous tissue heart valves is provided. The method includes creating a stent profile primitive which is rotated about a first axis to create a solid stent blank having inner and outer surfaces. First and second splines are created and intersected with the inner and outer surfaces, respectively, to form a plurality of planes. Posts are formed on the stent blank by removal of material above the planes, and filleting is performed to provide a smooth upper surface for each post. Additional features corresponding to whether the stent is an inner or an outer stent for the heart valve are added, and the final stent shape is input into machine tooling which cuts an electrode into the corresponding stent shape. The electrode is then used to dissolve a pattern into a block of metal, such as a nickel-steel alloy, to form the final mold of the stent.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles S. Love
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2412; A61F2/2415; A61F2/2409; A61F2/2472; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for constructing a stent for a heart valve, comprising the steps of: creating a stent profile primitive; rotating said stent profile primitive about a first axis to create a solid stent blank having inner and outer surfaces; creating first and second splines; forming a plurality of planes by connecting the intersection of said first spline with said inner surface of said solid stent blank with the intersection of said second spline with said outer surface of said solid stent blank at a plurality of locations displaced angularly along said first axis from each other an equal amount; removing the material from said solid stent blank above each of said planes to form posts; and filleting said posts to provide a smooth upper surface for each of said posts.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for constructing a stent for a heart valve, comprising the steps of: creating a stent profile primitive; rotating said stent profile primitive about a first axis to create a solid stent blank having inner and outer surfaces; creating first and second splines; forming a plurality of planes by connecting the intersection of said first spline with said inner surface of said solid stent blank with the intersection of said second spline with said outer surface of said solid stent blank at a plurality of locations displaced angularly along said first axis from each other an equal amount; removing the material from said solid stent blank above each of said planes to form posts; and filleting said posts to provide a smooth upper surface for each of said posts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said planes are b-surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising forming scallop portions between said posts, said scallop portions having a substantially horizontal profile.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising forming radially extending, outwardly-facing alignment members on said posts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing the shape of said stent blank to create a mold for use in injection-mold production of said stent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising forming a base portion below said posts, said base portion having a plurality of slots therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising forming windows in said posts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising emplacing a covering around said stent.
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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) | 2000-03-17 | 2000-09-16 | 2001-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-17 | 2004-09-16 | 2005-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-17 | 2008-09-16 | 2009-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |