US7322932B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for suturelessly attaching a biomaterial to an implantable bioprosthesis frame
Assignee: Providence Health & Services Oregon and Southwest Washington
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Filing: 2004-02-02
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Granted: 2008-01-29
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Expires: 2024-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A bioprosthetic valve graft comprises a valve frame and valve flaps, the latter acting to open or close a valve aperture to directionally control fluid flow through the bioprosthesis. The bioprosthetic valve graft comprises method for suturelessly attaching a biomaterial suturelessly bonded to the A method for securing a biomaterial to a valve frame includes positioning a flexible valve frame defining an open area on a first major surface of a biomaterial sheet having a peripheral edge, wherein positioning serves to approximate the valve frame and the peripheral edge of the biomaterial sheet to form an at least first bonding locus; and suturelessly bonding the biomaterial to the valve frame at the at least first bonding locus. The method avoids the disadvantages associated with conventional sutures and substantially reduces medical complications in implantations.
Inventors
- 👤 Hua Xie
- 👤 Lisa A. Buckley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2412; A61F2/2418; A61F2/2475; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0075; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for producing a sutureless valve graft suitable for physiological implantation, comprising: positioning a flexible valve frame defining an open area on a first major surface of a biomaterial sheet having a peripheral edge, said positioning serving to approximate the valve frame and the peripheral edge of the biomaterial sheet to form an at least first bonding locus; and suturelessly bonding the biomaterial to the valve frame at the at least first bonding locus; further comprising dehydrating the biomaterial prior to suturelessly bonding; and rehydrating the biomaterial after suturelessly bonding.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for producing a sutureless valve graft suitable for physiological implantation, comprising: positioning a flexible valve frame defining an open area on a first major surface of a biomaterial sheet having a peripheral edge, said positioning serving to approximate the valve frame and the peripheral edge of the biomaterial sheet to form an at least first bonding locus; and suturelessly bonding the biomaterial to the valve frame at the at least first bonding locus; further comprising dehydrating the biomaterial prior to suturelessly bonding; and rehydrating the biomaterial after suturelessly bonding.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein positioning comprises: positioning the valve frame on the first major surface of the biomaterial sheet; and folding the edge of the biomaterial sheet over the valve frame so that the edge of the biomaterial sheet is contacted with the first major surface of the biomaterial sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein suturelessly bonding comprises suturelessly bonding the edge of the biomaterial sheet directly to the valve frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: applying a distorting force to the valve frame to distort the valve frame into a flexed state prior to positioning the valve frame; and releasing the distorting force after suturelessly bonding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the biomaterial sheet consists essentially of small intestine submucosa.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein suturelessly bonding comprises irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy sufficient to at least partially fuse the portion of the approximated biomaterial sheet to attach the biomaterial to the valve frame at the at least first bonding locus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy comprises irradiating the at least first bonding locus with light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy comprises irradiating the at least first bonding locus with light generated by a laser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy comprises irradiating the at least first bonding locus with light having a wavelength of about 800 nm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising introducing a chromophore that is energy-absorptive at about 800 nm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy comprises irradiating the at least first bonding locus with radio-frequency energy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy comprises irradiating the at least first bonding locus with ultrasound energy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising introducing a photo-chemical crosslinking agent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said photo-chemical crosslinking agent is methylene blue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy comprises irradiating the at least first bonding locus with white light.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy comprises irradiating the at least first bonding locus with ultraviolet light.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising creating an aperture across a short axis of the biomaterial sheet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the biomaterial sheet comprises collagen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the biomaterial consists essentially of collagen.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for suturelessly attaching a collagen-rich biomaterial sheet to a prosthesis frame element, comprising: approximating a portion of the biomaterial sheet to the prosthesis frame element to define an at least first bonding locus; and irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy from an energy-generating source, said energy sufficient to at least partially fuse the portion of the approximated biomaterial sheet; further comprising dehydrating the biomaterial prior to bonding; and rehydrating the biomaterial after bonding.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for suturelessly attaching a collagen-rich biomaterial sheet to a prosthesis frame element, comprising: approximating a portion of the biomaterial sheet to the prosthesis frame element to define an at least first bonding locus; and irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy from an energy-generating source, said energy sufficient to at least partially fuse the portion of the approximated biomaterial sheet; further comprising dehydrating the biomaterial prior to bonding; and rehydrating the biomaterial after bonding.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy from an energy-generating source comprises irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy from a radio-frequency device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy from an energy-generating source comprises irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy from an ultrasound device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy from an energy-generating source comprises irradiating the at least first bonding locus with light energy from a laser.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein said laser emits light having a wavelength of about 800 nm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 23 , further comprising introducing a chromophore.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said chromophore is indocyanine green.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy from an energy-generating source comprises contacting the at least first bonding locus with a contact thermo-electric transducer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the prosthesis frame element comprises a synthetic material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the prosthesis frame element comprises a resorbable or biodegradable composition.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the biomaterial consists essentially of collagen.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the biomaterial substantially comprises small intestine submucosa.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for securing a biomaterial sheet to a stent frame, comprising: approximating a portion of the biomaterial sheet to the stent frame to define an at least first bonding locus; irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy from an energy-generating source, said energy sufficient to at least partially fuse the portion of the approximated biomaterial sheet; at least partially dehydrating the biomaterial prior to irradiating; and rehydrating the at least partially dehydrated biomaterial after irradiating.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for securing a biomaterial sheet to a stent frame, comprising: approximating a portion of the biomaterial sheet to the stent frame to define an at least first bonding locus; irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy from an energy-generating source, said energy sufficient to at least partially fuse the portion of the approximated biomaterial sheet; at least partially dehydrating the biomaterial prior to irradiating; and rehydrating the at least partially dehydrated biomaterial after irradiating.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the energy is optical energy.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 33 wherein irradiating the optical energy is laser optical energy.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 33 wherein the optical energy has a wavelength of about 800 nm.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 35 , further comprising introducing a chromophore that is energy-absorptive at about 800 nm.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 33 , further comprising introducing a photo-chemical crosslinking agent.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 33 wherein the optical energy is white light.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 33 wherein the optical energy is ultraviolet light.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the energy is radio-frequency energy.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the energy is ultrasound energy.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the biomaterial consists essentially of collagen.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for producing a sutureless valve graft suitable for physiological implantation, comprising: positioning a flexible valve frame defining an open area on a first major surface of a biomaterial sheet having a peripheral edge, said positioning serving to approximate the valve frame and the peripheral edge of the biomaterial sheet to form an at least first bonding locus; suturelessly bonding the biomaterial to the valve frame at the at least first bonding locus; applying a distorting force to the valve frame to distort the valve frame into a flexed state prior to positioning the valve frame; and releasing the distorting force after suturelessly bonding.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for producing a sutureless valve graft suitable for physiological implantation, comprising: positioning a flexible valve frame defining an open area on a first major surface of a biomaterial sheet having a peripheral edge, said positioning serving to approximate the valve frame and the peripheral edge of the biomaterial sheet to form an at least first bonding locus; suturelessly bonding the biomaterial to the valve frame at the at least first bonding locus; applying a distorting force to the valve frame to distort the valve frame into a flexed state prior to positioning the valve frame; and releasing the distorting force after suturelessly bonding.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 43 , further comprising securing the valve frame in the flexed state by attaching a diametric suture, wherein releasing the distorting force comprises removing the diametric suture.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for suturelessly attaching a collagen-rich biomaterial sheet to a prosthesis frame element, comprising: approximating a portion of the biomaterial sheet to the prosthesis frame element to define an at least first bonding locus; and irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy from an energy-generating source, said energy sufficient to at least partially fuse the portion of the approximated biomaterial sheet; wherein the biomaterial consists essentially of collagen.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for suturelessly attaching a collagen-rich biomaterial sheet to a prosthesis frame element, comprising: approximating a portion of the biomaterial sheet to the prosthesis frame element to define an at least first bonding locus; and irradiating the at least first bonding locus with energy from an energy-generating source, said energy sufficient to at least partially fuse the portion of the approximated biomaterial sheet; wherein the biomaterial consists essentially of collagen.
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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) | 2011-01-28 | 2011-07-30 | 2012-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-01-28 | 2015-07-30 | 2016-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-01-28 | 2019-07-30 | 2020-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |