Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A prosthetic valve adapted to be inserted into a blood vessel and held in a desired position therein, comprising: an annular support ring having a longitudinal axis and defining a substantially circular central opening for passage of blood; an outer wall on said support ring, said outer wall having a central annular depression therein; a leaflet mounted on said support ring for pivotal movement between a closed position wherein said leaflet substantially blocks said central opening and an open position wherein blood is permitted through said opening; and access point means on said outer wall for introduction of materials to a blood vessel situs where said valve is to be situated; whereby said valve may be inserted into said blood vessel such that said support ring longitudinal axis is substantially coincident with an axis of elongation of said blood vessel and held in such position by way of a tightened cord holding a proximate portion of said blood vessel in said annular depression.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A prosthetic valve adapted to be inserted into a blood vessel and held in a desired position therein, comprising: an annular support ring having a longitudinal axis and defining a substantially circular central opening for passage of blood; an outer wall on said support ring, said outer wall having a central annular depression therein; a leaflet mounted on said support ring for pivotal movement between a closed position wherein said leaflet substantially blocks said central opening and an open position wherein blood is permitted through said opening; and access point means on said outer wall for introduction of materials to a blood vessel situs where said valve is to be situated; whereby said valve may be inserted into said blood vessel such that said support ring longitudinal axis is substantially coincident with an axis of elongation of said blood vessel and held in such position by way of a tightened cord holding a proximate portion of said blood vessel in said annular depression.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein said access point means comprises a radial passage in said support ring, said passage extending from said outer wall to said central opening, and a stem extending radially outwardly from said radial passage, said stem having a central bore communicating with said radial passage and being adapted to extend through the wall of said blood vessel when said valve is mounted therein and provide an entry for introduction of anti-clotting agents and other materials proximate said valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 2 wherein said stem extends into said central opening and pivotally mounts said leaflet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 3 wherein said stem includes one or more ports where said stem extends into said central opening, said ports communicating with said central bore and allowing said anti-clotting agents and other materials to be placed proximate said central opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein said valve further includes a plurality of external stabilizer elements adapted to engage through the wall of said blood vessel and provide additional securement of said valve thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 5 wherein said stabilizer elements extend through the wall of said blood vessel and said valve further includes a stabilizing assembly mounted to said stabilizer elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 6 wherein said stabilizing assembly includes a plurality of stabilizing arms connected to said stabilizer elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 7 wherein said stabilizing arms are oriented inwardly for engaging said vein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 7 wherein said stabilizing arms are oriented outwardly for engaging tissue surrounding said vein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 7 wherein said stabilizing assembly further includes a ring mounted to said stabilizing arms and adapted to be secured around said vein in spaced relationship with said valve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein said support ring is made from a deformable material that allows said valve to be deformed to facilitate insertion into said vein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein said support ring is radially compressible and sized larger than said vein such that said ring is under radial compression when positioned in said vein to help stabilize said valve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein said support ring is formed from a thermally expandable material that expands radially when said valve is positioned in said vein to help stabilize said valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 13 wherein thermally expandable material is a plastic coated metal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
214 words
A prosthetic valve adapted to be inserted into a blood vessel and held in a desired position therein, comprising: an annular support ring having a longitudinal axis and defining a substantially circular central opening for passage of blood; a radial passage in said support ring, said passage extending from an outer wall of said support ring to said central opening; a leaflet mounted on said support ring for pivotal movement between a closed position wherein said leaflet substantially blocks said central opening and an open position wherein blood is permitted through said opening, said leaflet being weighted at locations thereof that are remote from its point of mounting on said support ring to assist in valve closure; a stem extending radially outwardly from said support ring radial passage, said stem having a central bore communicating with said radial passage and being adapted to extend through the wall of said blood vessel when said valve is mounted therein and provide an entry for introduction of anti-clotting agents and other materials proximate said valve; and whereby said valve may be inserted into said blood vessel such that said support ring longitudinal axis is substantially coincident with an axis of elongation of said blood vessel and held in such position by appropriate attachment to said blood vessel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
214 words
A prosthetic valve adapted to be inserted into a blood vessel and held in a desired position therein, comprising: an annular support ring having a longitudinal axis and defining a substantially circular central opening for passage of blood; a radial passage in said support ring, said passage extending from an outer wall of said support ring to said central opening; a leaflet mounted on said support ring for pivotal movement between a closed position wherein said leaflet substantially blocks said central opening and an open position wherein blood is permitted through said opening, said leaflet being weighted at locations thereof that are remote from its point of mounting on said support ring to assist in valve closure; a stem extending radially outwardly from said support ring radial passage, said stem having a central bore communicating with said radial passage and being adapted to extend through the wall of said blood vessel when said valve is mounted therein and provide an entry for introduction of anti-clotting agents and other materials proximate said valve; and whereby said valve may be inserted into said blood vessel such that said support ring longitudinal axis is substantially coincident with an axis of elongation of said blood vessel and held in such position by appropriate attachment to said blood vessel.