Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A prosthetic valve comprising: a radially expandable structural frame including a proximal anchor and a distal anchor, the proximal and distal anchors being formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and having a substantially cylindrical configurations with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between; one or more connecting members, the one or more connecting members having a first and a second end, the first end of each connecting member being attached to the proximal anchor and the second end of each connecting member being attached to the distal anchor; and a tubular biocompatible membrane assembly attached to the abluminal surface of the proximal anchor and extending distally along the one or more connecting members, the biocompatible membrane assembly having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end of the biocompatible membrane assembly is engaged with an abluminal surface of the one or more connecting members whereupon terminating with supple valve flaps biased towards an open position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A prosthetic valve comprising: a radially expandable structural frame including a proximal anchor and a distal anchor, the proximal and distal anchors being formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and having a substantially cylindrical configurations with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between; one or more connecting members, the one or more connecting members having a first and a second end, the first end of each connecting member being attached to the proximal anchor and the second end of each connecting member being attached to the distal anchor; and a tubular biocompatible membrane assembly attached to the abluminal surface of the proximal anchor and extending distally along the one or more connecting members, the biocompatible membrane assembly having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end of the biocompatible membrane assembly is engaged with an abluminal surface of the one or more connecting members whereupon terminating with supple valve flaps biased towards an open position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the structural frame is expandable by an expansion means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 2 wherein the expansion means is a balloon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the structural frame is self-expanding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the structural frame comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, tantalum, platinum alloys, niobium alloy, cobalt alloy, and nickel-titanium alloy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the structural frame comprises a polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the one or more connecting members are substantially straight members oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the one or more connecting members are helically shaped members oriented in a semi-spiral about the longitudinal axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the one or more connecting members are biased inward toward the longitudinal axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the lattice of interconnected elements comprises a plurality of longitudinally arranged strut members and a plurality of loop members connecting the adjacent strut members, each loop member having a substantially semi-circular configuration creating an inflection point with an inside and outside radii.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 10 wherein the first end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the proximal anchor at the outside radii of the inflection point, and the second end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the distal anchor at the outside radii of the inflection point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 10 wherein the first end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the proximal anchor at the inside radii of the inflection point, and the second end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the distal anchor at the inside radii of the inflection point.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 10 wherein the first end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the proximal anchor at the inside radii of the inflection point, and the second end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the distal anchor at the outside radii of the inflection point.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 10 wherein the first end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the proximal anchor at the outside radii of the inflection point, and the second end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the distal anchor at the inside radii of the inflection point.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 10 wherein the first end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the proximal anchor at the strut, and the second end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the distal anchor at the strut.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the biocompatible membrane assembly is formed from a flexible membrane-like material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 16 wherein the membrane-like material is a biological material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 17 wherein the biological material is a vein.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 16 wherein the membrane-like material is a synthetic material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 19 wherein the synthetic material is an elastomeric polymer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 19 wherein the synthetic material is a bioabsorbable material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 19 wherein the synthetic material further comprises a reinforcement fiber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 22 wherein the reinforcement fiber is formed directly on the radially expandable structural frame.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 16 wherein the membrane-like material is in the form of a tube having a first end and a second end.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 24 wherein the first end of the tube comprises one or more valve flaps.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 24 wherein the first end of the tube is located between the proximal and distal anchors.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 24 wherein the second end of the tube is located proximal to at least one half of the proximal anchor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 24 wherein the tube comprises one or more valve cusps.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the biocompatible membrane assembly is fixedly attached to the proximal anchor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 29 wherein the attachment results from radial pressure of the proximal anchor against the biocompatible membrane assembly.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 30 wherein the membrane assembly is attached by the use heat.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 30 wherein the membrane assembly is attached by a chemical bond.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 30 wherein the membrane assembly is attached by use of a mechanical means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 33 wherein the mechanical means includes welding.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 33 wherein the mechanical means includes suturing.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 29 wherein the membrane assembly is attached by use of a binder.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 36 wherein the binder comprises a polymer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 37 wherein the binder comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting essentially of elastomeric polymer, siliconized polyurethane, polyurethane, and silicone.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the structural frame is coated with an agent.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 39 wherein the agent coating contains a therapeutic agent.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 39 wherein the agent coating contains a pharmaceutic agent.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 39 wherein the agent coating comprises an agent eluting layer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the biocompatible membrane assembly is coated with an agent.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 43 wherein the agent coating contains a therapeutic agent.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 43 wherein the agent coating contains a pharmaceutic agent.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 43 wherein the agent coating comprising an agent eluting layer.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the biocompatible membrane assembly is impregnated with a therapeutic agent.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the biocompatible membrane assembly is impregnated with a pharmaceutic agent.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
155 words
A prosthetic valve comprising: a radially expandable structural frame including a proximal anchor and a distal anchor, the proximal and distal anchors being formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and having a substantially cylindrical configurations with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between; one or more connecting members, the one or more connecting members having a first and a second end, the first end of each connecting member being attached to the proximal anchor and the second end of each connecting member being attached to the distal anchor; and a biocompatible valve assembly attached to the abluminal surface of the proximal anchor and extending distally along the one or more connecting members, the biocompatible valve assembly having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end is engaged with an abluminal surface of the one or more connecting members whereupon terminating with supple valve flaps biased towards an open position.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
155 words
A prosthetic valve comprising: a radially expandable structural frame including a proximal anchor and a distal anchor, the proximal and distal anchors being formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and having a substantially cylindrical configurations with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between; one or more connecting members, the one or more connecting members having a first and a second end, the first end of each connecting member being attached to the proximal anchor and the second end of each connecting member being attached to the distal anchor; and a biocompatible valve assembly attached to the abluminal surface of the proximal anchor and extending distally along the one or more connecting members, the biocompatible valve assembly having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end is engaged with an abluminal surface of the one or more connecting members whereupon terminating with supple valve flaps biased towards an open position.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
170 words
A prosthetic valve comprising: a radially expandable structural frame including a proximal anchor and a distal anchor, the proximal and distal anchors being formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and having a substantially cylindrical configurations with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between; one or more connecting members, the one or more connecting members having a first and a second end, the first end of each connecting member being attached to the proximal anchor and the second end of each connecting member being attached to the distal anchor; a biocompatible valve assembly attached to the proximal anchor and extending distally along the one or more connecting members such that the distal end of the biocompatible valve assembly terminates in valve flaps that are slideably attached to an abluminal surface of at least one of the connecting members; and a stop integrated into the one or more connecting members to prevent sliding movement of the distal end of the biocompatible valve assembly past the stop.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
170 words
A prosthetic valve comprising: a radially expandable structural frame including a proximal anchor and a distal anchor, the proximal and distal anchors being formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and having a substantially cylindrical configurations with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between; one or more connecting members, the one or more connecting members having a first and a second end, the first end of each connecting member being attached to the proximal anchor and the second end of each connecting member being attached to the distal anchor; a biocompatible valve assembly attached to the proximal anchor and extending distally along the one or more connecting members such that the distal end of the biocompatible valve assembly terminates in valve flaps that are slideably attached to an abluminal surface of at least one of the connecting members; and a stop integrated into the one or more connecting members to prevent sliding movement of the distal end of the biocompatible valve assembly past the stop.