US6117169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Living hinge attachment of leaflet to a valve body
Assignee: SULZER CARBOMEIDCS Inc
•
Filing: 1998-06-24
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Granted: 2000-09-12
•
Expires: 2018-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A valve including a living hinge coupling a leaflet to a valve body. The leaflet can be coupled through the living hinge to the valve body's inner diameter, its outer diameter, or somewhere between the two diameters. Because the living hinge design of the valve is an integrated part, it can be manufactured in a single step.
Inventors
- 👤 Riyad E. Moe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2412
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A prosthetic heart valve comprising: a valve body having a plurality of leaflet supports; a plurality of flexible leaflets; each leaflet support having a first thickness and a reduced thickness portion which is less than the first thickness; each leaflet connected to a respective leaflet support and having a second thickness which is less than the first thickness; and a living hinge integrally formed with each leaflet support and each leaflet, the living, hinge being a cantilevered member which includes a first portion connected to the reduced thickness portion of the leaflet support, the first portion having a thickness substantially the same as the reduced thickness portion of the leaflet support, and further including a second portion connected to the leaflet, the second portion having a thickness substantially the same as the second thickness of the leaflet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A prosthetic heart valve comprising: a valve body having a plurality of leaflet supports; a plurality of flexible leaflets; each leaflet support having a first thickness and a reduced thickness portion which is less than the first thickness; each leaflet connected to a respective leaflet support and having a second thickness which is less than the first thickness; and a living hinge integrally formed with each leaflet support and each leaflet, the living, hinge being a cantilevered member which includes a first portion connected to the reduced thickness portion of the leaflet support, the first portion having a thickness substantially the same as the reduced thickness portion of the leaflet support, and further including a second portion connected to the leaflet, the second portion having a thickness substantially the same as the second thickness of the leaflet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The heart valve of claim 1 wherein each leaflet support includes an inner diameter and an outer diameter, the reduced thickness portion being formed adjacent the inner diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The heart valve of claim 1 wherein each leaflet support includes an inner diameter and an outer diameter, the reduced thickness portion being formed adjacent the outer diameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The heart valve of claim 1 wherein each leaflet support includes all inner diameter and an outer diameter, the reduced thickness portion being formed partially adjacent the inner diameter and partially adjacent the outer diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The heart valve of claim 1 wherein the living hinge has a smooth surface.
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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) | 2003-09-12 | 2004-03-13 | 2004-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-12 | 2008-03-13 | 2008-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-12 | 2012-03-13 | 2012-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |