Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A suture ring for supporting a heart valve prosthesis having a valve body with an outer circumferential surface and an annular groove formed in said surface, the suture ring comprising: a stiffening ring, having first and second axial ends, mounted in surrounding relationship about said valve body at said annular groove of said valve body, said stiffening ring including a tapered outer surface section; a resilient ring positioned about the outer circumferential surface of said valve body proximate said first end of said stiffening ring; a fabric tube, having a mesh weave and first and second axial ends, covering said stiffening ring and said resilient ring, and interposed between said resilient ring and said stiffening ring; a first fastener band frictionally engaging said fabric tube between said first fastener band and said outer circumferential surface of said valve body proximate to said first end of said stiffening ring; a second fastener band frictionally engaging said fabric tube between said outer circumferential surface of said valve body proximate to said second end of said stiffening ring; first attachment means for attaching said first end of said fabric tube to a first location along said tube; and second attachment means for attaching said second end of said tube to a second location along said tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
A suture ring for supporting a heart valve prosthesis having a valve body with an outer circumferential surface and an annular groove formed in said surface, the suture ring comprising: a stiffening ring, having first and second axial ends, mounted in surrounding relationship about said valve body at said annular groove of said valve body, said stiffening ring including a tapered outer surface section; a resilient ring positioned about the outer circumferential surface of said valve body proximate said first end of said stiffening ring; a fabric tube, having a mesh weave and first and second axial ends, covering said stiffening ring and said resilient ring, and interposed between said resilient ring and said stiffening ring; a first fastener band frictionally engaging said fabric tube between said first fastener band and said outer circumferential surface of said valve body proximate to said first end of said stiffening ring; a second fastener band frictionally engaging said fabric tube between said outer circumferential surface of said valve body proximate to said second end of said stiffening ring; first attachment means for attaching said first end of said fabric tube to a first location along said tube; and second attachment means for attaching said second end of said tube to a second location along said tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The suture ring of claim 1 wherein said tapered outer surface section defines a frustum having a wide first end and a narrow second end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The suture ring of claim 2 wherein said wide first end of said frustum is nearer to said resilient ring than is said narrow second end of said frustum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The suture ring of claim 3 wherein said stiffening ring is secured to said valve body by an interference fit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The suture ring of claim 2 wherein said fabric tube is wrapped completely around said first and second fastener bands so as to totally envelop both said first and second fastener bands.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The suture ring of claim 5 wherein: said first fastener band has an outer diameter and a thickness, "d 1 ", transverse to said outer diameter; and said second fastener band has an outer diameter and a thickness, "d 2 ", transverse to said outer diameter, where d 2 >d 1 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The suture ring of claim 6 wherein d 2 =3d 1 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The suture ring of claim 1 wherein said stiffener ring defines a frustum having a bore therethrough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The suture ring of claim 1 wherein there are two layers of said tube interposed between said first end of said stiffener ring and said first fastener band and one layer of said tube interposed between said second end of said stiffener ring and said second fastener band.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
216 words
In combination, a heart valve having an orifice ring providing a blood flow duct and having an annular groove about the outer circumferential surface of said orifice ring; and a suture ring comprising: a stiffening ring, having first and second axial ends, mounted in surrounding relationship about said valve body at said annular groove of said valve body, said stiffening ring including a tapered outer surface section; a resilient ring positioned about the outer circumferential surface of said valve body proximate said first end of said stiffening ring; a fabric tube, having a mesh weave and first and second axial ends, covering said stiffening ring and said resilient ring, and interposed between said resilient ring and said stiffening ring; a first fastener band frictionally engaging said fabric tube between said first fastener band and said outer circumferential surface of said valve body proximate to said first end of said stiffening ring; a second fastener band frictionally engaging said fabric tube between said outer circumferential surface of said valve body proximate to said second end of said stiffening ring; first attachment means for attaching said first end of said fabric tube to a first location along said tube; and second attachment means for attaching said second end of said tube to a second location along said tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
216 words
In combination, a heart valve having an orifice ring providing a blood flow duct and having an annular groove about the outer circumferential surface of said orifice ring; and a suture ring comprising: a stiffening ring, having first and second axial ends, mounted in surrounding relationship about said valve body at said annular groove of said valve body, said stiffening ring including a tapered outer surface section; a resilient ring positioned about the outer circumferential surface of said valve body proximate said first end of said stiffening ring; a fabric tube, having a mesh weave and first and second axial ends, covering said stiffening ring and said resilient ring, and interposed between said resilient ring and said stiffening ring; a first fastener band frictionally engaging said fabric tube between said first fastener band and said outer circumferential surface of said valve body proximate to said first end of said stiffening ring; a second fastener band frictionally engaging said fabric tube between said outer circumferential surface of said valve body proximate to said second end of said stiffening ring; first attachment means for attaching said first end of said fabric tube to a first location along said tube; and second attachment means for attaching said second end of said tube to a second location along said tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The suture ring of claim 10 wherein said tapered outer surface section defines a frustum having a wide first end and a narrow second end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The suture ring of claim 11 wherein said wide first end of said frustum is nearer to said resilient ring than is said narrow second end of said frustum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The suture ring of claim 12 wherein said stiffening ring is secured to said valve body by an interference fit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The suture ring of claim 11 wherein said fabric tube is wrapped completely around said first and second fastener bands so as to totally envelop both said first and second fastener bands.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The suture ring of claim 14 wherein: said first fastener band has an outer diameter and a thickness, "d 1 ", transverse to said outer diameter; and said second fastener band has an outer diameter and a thickness, "d 2 ", transverse to said outer diameter, where d 2 >d 1 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The suture ring of claim 15 wherein d 2 =3d 1 .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The suture ring of claim 10 wherein said stiffener ring defines a frustum having a bore therethrough.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
The suture ring of claim 10 wherein there are two layers of said tube interposed between said first end of said stiffener ring and said first fastener band and one layer of said tube interposed between said second end of said stiffener ring and said second fastener band.