US5906642A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal heart valve holder
Assignee: Corcym SRL
•
Filing: 1997-12-12
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Granted: 1999-05-25
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Expires: 2017-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A heart valve holder is provided for implanting a prosthetic heart valve in either an inflow (mitral or tricuspid) or an outflow (aortic or pulmonary) implantation. The valve holder may be repeatedly sterilized for multiple implantations. The valve holder includes holding members to securely hold the valve, a valve-sizing member to allow the holder to hold valves of various sizes, an over rotation stop to prevent the holder from impinging upon the valve leaflets, alignment members to align the holding members for receiving a valve, and means to rotate the valve without damaging the valve leaflets.
Inventors
- 👤 Roberto Caudillo
- 👤 Tammi E. Klostermeyer
- 👤 James C. Caffey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2496; A61F2/2427; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for holding a prosthetic heart valve, comprising: a first arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a medial section intermediate the proximal and distal ends; a first valve holding member coupled with the distal end of the first arm; a second arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a medial section intermediate the proximal and distal ends; a second valve holding member coupled with the distal end of the second arm; a coupling member operably attaching the proximal ends of the first and second arms, wherein the arms are adapted to move relative to each other such that the distance between the distal ends is adjustable; a valve-sizing member operably coupled with the first arm and selectively coupled with the second arm so that the distance between the first and second arms is selectively fixed; an over rotation stop operably coupled with the medial section of the first arm and generally orthogonal thereto, thereby limiting the extent to which the distal ends may be moved toward each other; and a first alignment member operably coupled with the first arm and a second alignment member operably coupled with the second arm, wherein the alignment members interlock when the distal ends are moved toward each other, thereby aligning the valve holding members to receive a prosthetic heart valve.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for holding a prosthetic heart valve, comprising: a first arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a medial section intermediate the proximal and distal ends; a first valve holding member coupled with the distal end of the first arm; a second arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a medial section intermediate the proximal and distal ends; a second valve holding member coupled with the distal end of the second arm; a coupling member operably attaching the proximal ends of the first and second arms, wherein the arms are adapted to move relative to each other such that the distance between the distal ends is adjustable; a valve-sizing member operably coupled with the first arm and selectively coupled with the second arm so that the distance between the first and second arms is selectively fixed; an over rotation stop operably coupled with the medial section of the first arm and generally orthogonal thereto, thereby limiting the extent to which the distal ends may be moved toward each other; and a first alignment member operably coupled with the first arm and a second alignment member operably coupled with the second arm, wherein the alignment members interlock when the distal ends are moved toward each other, thereby aligning the valve holding members to receive a prosthetic heart valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second arms comprise a flexible material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second arms each include a first and a second segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first and second segments are positioned at an obtuse angle relative to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second valve holding members include a first lip, a second lip, and a body intermediate the first and second lips.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the valve sizing member is generally planar and includes a plurality of recessed portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second over rotation stop operably coupled with the medial section of the second arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second alignment members include a generally planar surface and a plurality of posts extending from the surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first finger pad operably coupled with the first arm and a second finger pad operably coupled with the second arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the valve holder comprises materials that are repeatedly sterilizable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the valve holder is adapted to selectively hold inflow or outflow prosthetic heart valves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
165 words
A prosthetic heart valve holder, comprising: first and second generally opposed elongate members operably coupled with each other at respective proximal ends, the elongate members further including distal ends that are selectively movable toward each other by exerting a force on one or both of the elongate members; first and second valve contact shoes operably coupled with the distal ends of the respective first and second elongate members; a valve retention lock operably coupled with the first elongate member and selectively coupled with the second elongate member, the lock including a plurality of lock keys, providing a plurality of fixed distances between the elongate members; a first leaflet protection stop operably coupled with a medial section of the first elongate member, wherein the first stop limits the rotation of the elongate members toward each other; and first and second alignment keys positioned toward the distal ends of the respective elongate members, wherein the keys align the valve contact shoes to receive a prosthetic heart valve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
165 words
A prosthetic heart valve holder, comprising: first and second generally opposed elongate members operably coupled with each other at respective proximal ends, the elongate members further including distal ends that are selectively movable toward each other by exerting a force on one or both of the elongate members; first and second valve contact shoes operably coupled with the distal ends of the respective first and second elongate members; a valve retention lock operably coupled with the first elongate member and selectively coupled with the second elongate member, the lock including a plurality of lock keys, providing a plurality of fixed distances between the elongate members; a first leaflet protection stop operably coupled with a medial section of the first elongate member, wherein the first stop limits the rotation of the elongate members toward each other; and first and second alignment keys positioned toward the distal ends of the respective elongate members, wherein the keys align the valve contact shoes to receive a prosthetic heart valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the valve holder is adapted to selectively hold inflow or outflow prosthetic heart valves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first and second valve contact shoes include a first lip, a second lip, a body intermediate the first and second lips, and an edge for rotating the valve.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first leaflet protection stop extends generally orthogonal to the first elongate member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a second leaflet protection stop operably coupled with a medial section of the second elongate member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first and second alignment keys include a generally planar surface and a plurality of posts extending from the surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a first finger pad operably coupled with the first elongate member and a second finger pad operably coupled with the second elongate member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the valve holder comprises materials that are repeatedly sterilizable.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
101 words
A prosthetic heart valve holder, comprising: first and second generally opposed elongate members coupled together and having distal ends that are selectively movable toward each other; first and second valve contact shoes connected to the distal ends of the respective first and second elongate members; and a valve retention lock coupled to the first elongate member and having a plurality of recessed portions, wherein the valve retention lock is moveable around the first elongate member to selectively couple the recessed portions with the second elongate member to provide a plurality of fixed distances between the first and second valve contact shoes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
101 words
A prosthetic heart valve holder, comprising: first and second generally opposed elongate members coupled together and having distal ends that are selectively movable toward each other; first and second valve contact shoes connected to the distal ends of the respective first and second elongate members; and a valve retention lock coupled to the first elongate member and having a plurality of recessed portions, wherein the valve retention lock is moveable around the first elongate member to selectively couple the recessed portions with the second elongate member to provide a plurality of fixed distances between the first and second valve contact shoes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The prosthetic heart valve holder of claim 20 in which: the valve retention lock has an elongated planar configuration; and the recesses are located around the periphery of the valve retention lock and have a semi-circular shaped portion to engage the second elongate member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
102 words
The prosthetic heart valve holder of claim 20 in which: the valve retention lock has first, second, and third recesses; the first recess separates the first and second valve contact shoes a distance sufficient to engage the prosthetic heart valve having a size of about 19-21 mm; the second recess separates the first and second valve contact shoes a distance sufficient to engage the prosthetic heart valve having a size of about 23-25 mm; and the third recess separates the first and second valve contact shoes a distance sufficient to engage the prosthetic heart valve having a size of about 27-33 mm.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
113 words
A prosthetic heart valve holder, comprising: first and second elongate members coupled together and having distal ends that are selectively movable toward each other; first and second valve contact shoes attached to the distal ends of the respective first and second elongate members; and first and second alignment members positioned toward the distal ends of the respective elongate members and having at least one generally planar receiving area and at least one post to align the valve contact shoes, wherein the post of the first alignment member engages the receiving area of the second alignment member and the post of the second alignment member engages the receiving area of the first alignment member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
113 words
A prosthetic heart valve holder, comprising: first and second elongate members coupled together and having distal ends that are selectively movable toward each other; first and second valve contact shoes attached to the distal ends of the respective first and second elongate members; and first and second alignment members positioned toward the distal ends of the respective elongate members and having at least one generally planar receiving area and at least one post to align the valve contact shoes, wherein the post of the first alignment member engages the receiving area of the second alignment member and the post of the second alignment member engages the receiving area of the first alignment member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The heart valve holder of claim 23 in which the first and second alignment members include two receiving areas and two posts.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
59 words
The heart valve holder of claim 24 in which: the first and second alignment members have a rectangular configuration; the two posts for each first and second alignment member are located in opposite corners of the rectangular configuration; and the two receiving areas for each first and second alignment member are located in opposite corners of the rectangular configuration.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
120 words
A prosthetic heart valve holder, comprising: first and second elongate members coupled together and having distal ends that are selectively movable toward each other; first and second valve contact shoes connected to the distal ends of the respective first and second elongate members; first and second alignment members positioned toward the distal ends of the respective elongate members; and first and second leaflet stops coupled with the first and second elongate members respectively, wherein the first and second leaflet stops extend orthogonally from the first and second elongate members respectively, and the first and second leaflet stops are disposed oppositely from each other, and the first and second leaflet stops limit the rotation of the elongate members toward each other.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
120 words
A prosthetic heart valve holder, comprising: first and second elongate members coupled together and having distal ends that are selectively movable toward each other; first and second valve contact shoes connected to the distal ends of the respective first and second elongate members; first and second alignment members positioned toward the distal ends of the respective elongate members; and first and second leaflet stops coupled with the first and second elongate members respectively, wherein the first and second leaflet stops extend orthogonally from the first and second elongate members respectively, and the first and second leaflet stops are disposed oppositely from each other, and the first and second leaflet stops limit the rotation of the elongate members toward each other.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
The prosthetic heart valve holder of claim 26 in which: the first and second leaflet stops have a cylindrical configuration with circular ends; and the ends of the first and second leaflet stops abut each other to limit the rotation of the elongate members toward each other.
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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) | 2002-05-24 | 2002-11-23 | 2003-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-24 | 2006-11-23 | 2007-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-24 | 2010-11-23 | 2011-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |