Pannus formation preventing heart valve

Claim 1

Pannus formation preventing artificial heart valve comprising an inner ring, said inner ring having a wire frame extending axially from one side thereof thereby forming a tubular cage on said one side, said cage terminating in a cage wall, said inner ring having a radially outwardly facing annular peripheral groove, an outer ring adapted and constructed to be sutured in palce when said heart valve is implanted said outer ring having an inwardly radially facing convex portion detailed to mate with said annular peripheral groove of said inner ring whereby said outer ring supports said inner ring, valve module means positioned axially within said cage, said valve module means having a semi-spherical surface facing said inner ring and a flat equatorial planor surface facing ways from the inner ring and facing said cage wall, said valve module means having an annular sweepable finger extending axially from said semi-sperical surface and through said inner ring to the side opposite of the cage, said inner ring having an internally extending profile forming a seat for centering and articulating said valve means, said cage being axially dimensioned and said valve module means being dimensioned whereby at least a portion of said finger extends to said side opposite of the cage of the inner ring even when said flat equatorial planar surface of the valve module means is in confrontation with said cage wall.