Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
I. A heart valve prosthesis (10) comprising, a valve body (12) having a passageway (18) for the flow of blood therethrough from upstream to downstream, and first and second leaflets (14,16) individually pivotally supported in said passageway (18) and pivotal between a closed position inhibiting blood flow through said passageway (18) and an open position allowing blood flow therethrough, characterized in that said first and second leaflets - (14, 16) are curved in a plane normal to their respective pivot axis and are arranged so that the convex sides of said first and second leaflets (14, 16) face each other when said leaflets (14, 16) are in said open position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
31 words
A heat valve prosthesis as claimed in Claim I, characterized in that the concave (22, 24) sides of said first and second leaflets (14,16) face upstream when in the closed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A heart valve prosthesis as claimed in Claim I or 2, characterized in that said first and second leaflets (14,16) are pivotally supported (P, P') approximately two thirds of the width of the leaflets - (14,16) from the outer edges (36,38) of said leaflets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A heart valve prosthesis as claimed in Claim I, 2 or 3, characterized in that the curvature of said leaflets (14, 16) is of a value to maximize the minimum peak velocity flowing between the leaflets (14,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
16) and on the outside of each leaflet (14, 16).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A heart valve prosthesis as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that the curvature of said leaflets (14, 16) is circular.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A heart valve prosthesis as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that the curvature C of said leaflets is in the range of approximately .4 to .7 wherein and r o = the radius of curvature of the leaflets, and do = the length of the chord of said leaflets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A heart valve prosthesis as claimed in any preceeding Claim, characterized in that it includes means (30, 32) in said valve body for limiting the maximum angle of opening of said leaflets to approximately ninety degrees from a plane (M-M') transverse to said passageway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A heart valve prosthesis as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that the maximum angle of opening is in the range of approximately eighty-five to ninety degrees.