US7175656B2 — Percutaneous transcatheter heart valve replacement

Claim 1

Independent Claim 193 words

An expansible prosthetic heart valve comprising: an implantable structure comprising a tubular framework which is expansible from a first reduced diameter to a second enlarged diameter and having a flow path therethrough, the tubular framework having: a strength sufficient to maintain luminal patency when the framework is expanded within a valve of the heart; and a plurality of radial protrusions, the protrusions extending radially about the tubular framework so as to anchor the tubular framework within the valve of the heart when the tubular framework is expanded therein; a flexible membrane positionable in the flow path for permitting flow in a first direction and substantially resisting flow in a second direction; and a membrane support positionable in the flow path and affixed to the implantable structure, wherein the membrane support comprises at least one rib member extending across the flow path, wherein the membrane support is fixed relative to the flexible membrane so that the flexible membrane flexes away from the membrane support including the at least one rib member during opening of the flow path in the first direction, wherein the flexible membrane is attached to a portion of the membrane support.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 193 words

An expansible prosthetic heart valve comprising: an implantable structure comprising a tubular framework which is expansible from a first reduced diameter to a second enlarged diameter and having a flow path therethrough, the tubular framework having: a strength sufficient to maintain luminal patency when the framework is expanded within a valve of the heart; and a plurality of radial protrusions, the protrusions extending radially about the tubular framework so as to anchor the tubular framework within the valve of the heart when the tubular framework is expanded therein; a flexible membrane positionable in the flow path for permitting flow in a first direction and substantially resisting flow in a second direction; and a membrane support positionable in the flow path and affixed to the implantable structure, wherein the membrane support comprises at least one rib member extending across the flow path, wherein the membrane support is fixed relative to the flexible membrane so that the flexible membrane flexes away from the membrane support including the at least one rib member during opening of the flow path in the first direction, wherein the flexible membrane is attached to a portion of the membrane support.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 17 words

An expansible valve as in claim 1 , wherein the membrane support comprises a circular wire frame.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

An expansible valve as in claim 1 , wherein the membrane support and the implantable structure define an integral framework.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

An expansible valve as in claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane has a substantially circular shape.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

An expansible valve as in claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane has a substantially conical shape.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

An expansible valve as in claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane comprises at least one leaflet.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 18 words

An expansible valve as in claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene or biological materials.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

An expansible valve as in claim 1 , wherein the implantable structure is fixed with respect to the flexible membrane during opening and closing of the flow path.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 27 words

An expansible valve as in claim 1 , wherein the framework comprises a plurality of struts, wherein at least three struts are longer than the remaining struts.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 23 words

An expansible valve as in claim 1 , wherein the radial protrusions extend circumferentially and longitudinally about an outer surface of the framework.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

An expansible valve as in claim 1 , wherein the implantable structure or membrane support is covered with a layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene or biological materials.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 28 words

An expansible valve as in claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the implantable structure, flexible membrane, or membrane support is coated with an anti-thrombogenic substance.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 31 words

An expansible valve as in claim 1 , wherein the implantable structure, flexible membrane, and membrane support are expandable from a first reduced profile configuration to a second enlarged profile configuration.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 24 words

An expansible valve as in claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane is attached to a central or peripheral portion of the membrane support.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 21 words

An expansible valve as in claim 1 , wherein the at least one rib member comprises a plurality of radial ribs.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 172 words

A method for implanting an expansible prosthetic heart valve, the method comprising: providing a prosthetic heart valve an expansible structure, a flexible membrane, and a membrane support having at least one rib member, wherein the flexible membrane is attached to a portion of the membrane support, and wherein the expansible structure comprises a tubular framework; implanting the expansible structure within a valve of the heart by expanding the expansible structure from a first reduced diameter to a second enlarged diameter, wherein a flow path extends therethrough; positioning the fexible membrane in the flow path for permitting flow in a first direction and substantially resisting flow in a second direction; and positioning the membrane support in the flow path, wherein the at least one rib member extends across the flow path so as to support the flexible membrane against the flow path in the second direction, wherein the flexible membrane flexes away from the membrane support including the at least one rib member during opening of the flow path in the first direction.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 172 words

A method for implanting an expansible prosthetic heart valve, the method comprising: providing a prosthetic heart valve an expansible structure, a flexible membrane, and a membrane support having at least one rib member, wherein the flexible membrane is attached to a portion of the membrane support, and wherein the expansible structure comprises a tubular framework; implanting the expansible structure within a valve of the heart by expanding the expansible structure from a first reduced diameter to a second enlarged diameter, wherein a flow path extends therethrough; positioning the fexible membrane in the flow path for permitting flow in a first direction and substantially resisting flow in a second direction; and positioning the membrane support in the flow path, wherein the at least one rib member extends across the flow path so as to support the flexible membrane against the flow path in the second direction, wherein the flexible membrane flexes away from the membrane support including the at least one rib member during opening of the flow path in the first direction.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method as in claim 16 , wherein the valve of the heart comprises a mitral valve, aortic valve, pulmonary valve, or tricuspid valve.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 41 words

A method as in claim 16 , wherein the membrane support is affixed to the expansible structure, and wherein the membrane support and expansible structure are fixed with respect to the flexible membrane during opening and closing of the flow path.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method as in claim 16 , wherein implanting is carried out by percutaneously passing a catheter endoluminally through an anatomic passageway to a valved anatomic site within the heart.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method as in claim 16 , wherein implanting further comprises aligning the structure within the intraluminal site with at least three long struts.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as in claim 16 , further comprising anchoring the expansible structure with a plurality of hooks.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method as in claim 16 , wherein positioning further comprises expanding the membrane support from a first reduced profile configuration to a second enlarged profile configuration.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method as in claim 16 , wherein positioning further comprises expanding the flexible membrane from a first reduced profile configuration to a second enlarged profile configuration.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method as in claim 16 , wherein the flexible membrane is attached to a central or peripheral portion of the membrane support.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method as in claim 16 , wherein the at least one rib member comprises a plurality of radial ribs.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method as in claim 16 , wherein the implanted tubular framework has a strength that maintains luminal patency of the valve of the heart.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method as in claim 16 , wherein flex of the implanted tubular framework is sufficiently limited during opening and closing of the prosthetic heart valve to inhibit failure.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2010-02-12	2010-08-14	2011-02-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2014-02-12	2014-08-14	2015-02-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2018-02-12	2018-08-14	2019-02-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Percutaneous transcatheter heart valve replacement

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