US6371983B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bioprosthetic heart valve
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 2000-10-03
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Granted: 2002-04-16
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Expires: 2020-10-03
Abstract
Abstract A trileaflet biological prosthetic heart valve comprising a thin, rigid annular outer frame which supports three elastic, laminated spring inner frames which in turn provide consistent geometric form and structure for attachment of tissue leaflets.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest Lane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2409; A61F2/2412; A61F2/2418; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0058
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A replacement tissue heart valve, which valve comprises: an annulus having a central passageway, three generally crescent-shaped struts connected generally near the midpoints thereof to said annulus at angularly spaced locations therealong, which struts are formed of individual pieces juxtaposed with one another as a lamination, three separate biocompatible flexible leaflets respectively attached to one of each of said struts in locations so as to converge toward one another to close said passageway and to thereafter diverge therefrom to reopen said passageway, each of said leaflets being supported as a stand-alone unit which moves independently of other said leaflets, said annulus and said struts being covered with biocompatible fabric, and a sewing ring encircling said annulus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A replacement tissue heart valve, which valve comprises: an annulus having a central passageway, three generally crescent-shaped struts connected generally near the midpoints thereof to said annulus at angularly spaced locations therealong, which struts are formed of individual pieces juxtaposed with one another as a lamination, three separate biocompatible flexible leaflets respectively attached to one of each of said struts in locations so as to converge toward one another to close said passageway and to thereafter diverge therefrom to reopen said passageway, each of said leaflets being supported as a stand-alone unit which moves independently of other said leaflets, said annulus and said struts being covered with biocompatible fabric, and a sewing ring encircling said annulus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The heart valve according to claim 1 wherein each of said crescent-shaped struts is made from a plurality of different length pieces of biocompatible metal spring material of sheet form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The heart valve according to claim 2 wherein said individual pieces of said lamination are physically interconnected to one another within a central region thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The heart valve according to claim 3 wherein said laminated crescent-shaped struts include at least three separate crescent-shaped pieces, each of which is of a different length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The heart valve according to claim 2 wherein said laminated crescent-shaped struts have nonlinear spring characteristics which create symmetrical and synchronous leaflet motion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The heart valve according to claim 2 wherein adjacent leaflets are loosely tethered to one another at locations adjacent the ends of said struts and otherwise remain free to move independently.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The heart valve according to claim 2 wherein said laminations are connected by anchor pins to said annulus, which pins pass through a marginal portion of said leaflet that is attached to said crescent-shaped strut.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The heart valve according to claim 7 wherein said leaflets are sections of bovine pericardial tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The heart valve according to claim 8 wherein said tissue is oriented so as to have a resistance to stress and elongation in the circumferential direction at least about 10 to 20% greater than its resistance in the radial direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The heart valve according to claim 2 wherein said annulus is trefoil-shaped in plan and has an axial profile that is scalloped-shaped at the inlet entrance thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The heart valve according to claim 10 wherein said annulus is formed from a cobalt-chromium-nickel alloy strip that is welded into circular form and then stretch-formed in a die to create said trefoil and scalloped shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The heart valve according to claim 1 that is designed for replacement of a mitral valve wherein said annulus has a generally planar entrance end and a generally planar exit end, which planes are oriented at an angle from about 15° to about 25° to each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The heart valve according to claim 12 wherein the shape of said entrance end of said annulus is generally circular and wherein said exit end of said annulus has of a generally oblong D-shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The heart valve according to claim 12 wherein elastomeric polymeric rings are affixed to the exterior surface of said annulus at each of said entrance and exit ends which serve as sewing rings and cushion the valve from the remainder of the heart.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The heart valve according to claim 14 which is designed to be implanted subannularly in the left atrium cavity, wherein a bovine pericardial tissue skirt surrounds said entrance end, which skirt is proportioned to be attached to the wall of the left atrium to establish an artificial floor therein surrounding the implanted valve.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
114 words
A bioprosthetic heart valve, which valve comprises an annulus having a central passageway, three generally crescent-shaped struts connected generally near the midpoints thereof to said annulus at angularly spaced locations therealong, and three separate biocompatible flexible leaflets respectively attached to one of each of said struts in locations so as to converge toward one another to close said passageway and to thereafter diverge therefrom to reopen said passageway, each of said crescent-shaped struts being made from a plurality of pieces of biocompatible metal spring material of sheet form juxtaposed with one another as a lamination, which individual pieces are connected to one another only at central locations and thus end portions thereof move independently.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
114 words
A bioprosthetic heart valve, which valve comprises an annulus having a central passageway, three generally crescent-shaped struts connected generally near the midpoints thereof to said annulus at angularly spaced locations therealong, and three separate biocompatible flexible leaflets respectively attached to one of each of said struts in locations so as to converge toward one another to close said passageway and to thereafter diverge therefrom to reopen said passageway, each of said crescent-shaped struts being made from a plurality of pieces of biocompatible metal spring material of sheet form juxtaposed with one another as a lamination, which individual pieces are connected to one another only at central locations and thus end portions thereof move independently.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The heart valve according to claim 16 wherein said laminated crescent-shaped struts include at least three separate crescent-shaped pieces, each of which is of a different length and wherein said laminated crescent-shaped struts have nonlinear spring characteristics which create symmetrical and synchronous leaflet motion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
The heart valve according to claim 17 wherein all said pieces of metal spring material have oblong apertures formed therein to provide a desired spring constant and wherein said crescent-shaped piece of metal spring material in each said strut having the greatest length is located radially inward of said other two pieces.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The heart valve according to claim 18 wherein adjacent of said pieces having said greatest length are loosely tethered to one another at locations near the tips thereof.
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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) | 2005-04-15 | 2005-10-15 | 2006-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-15 | 2009-10-15 | 2010-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-15 | 2013-10-15 | 2014-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |