Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A universal heart valve rotator comprising a body including a handle portion that extends in a direction remote from a plastic rotator portion, fastening means configured to join an end of said handle portion in complementary relationship with said rotator portion, said rotator portion having semi-circular wedge-shaped extensions for engaging against substantially parallel, non-annular inner wall surfaces of either an inflow or outflow side of an orifice ring of a bileaflet heart valve for rotating movement of the heart valve without any contact between the head and the heart valve leaflets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A universal heart valve rotator comprising a body including a handle portion that extends in a direction remote from a plastic rotator portion, fastening means configured to join an end of said handle portion in complementary relationship with said rotator portion, said rotator portion having semi-circular wedge-shaped extensions for engaging against substantially parallel, non-annular inner wall surfaces of either an inflow or outflow side of an orifice ring of a bileaflet heart valve for rotating movement of the heart valve without any contact between the head and the heart valve leaflets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The universal heart valve rotator according to claim 1, in which said semi-circular wedge-shaped extensions are sized and configured to be used directly against an orifice ring of a bileaflet heart valve to rotate said orifice relative to a suture ring without any substantial contact against the heart valve leaflets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The universal heart valve rotator according to claim 1, in which said fastening means between handle portion and rotator portion are directly complementary joinder portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The universal heart valve rotator according to claim 3, in which the rotator portion being threadably connected to said handle portion has a generally cylindrical shaped head and said rotator portion directly by threaded portions complementary to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The universal heart valve rotator according to claim 1, in which said handle portion and said rotator portion are integral.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The universal heart valve rotator according to claim 4, in which said plastic rotator portion has a generally rectangular shaped diametrical groove formed therein said groove extends transversely and having a depth for mitral leaflet clearance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The universal heart valve rotator according to claim 6, in which said rectangular shaped groove and a recessed outer periphery of said rotator portion having a depth to allow for a clearance fit for an orifice ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The universal heart valve rotator according to claim 7, in which said semi-circular wedge-shaped extensions have end surfaces, said end surfaces provide a clearance fit for an orifice of an orifice ring of a bileaflet heart valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The universal heart valve rotator according to claim 5, in which said handle portion and said rotator portion are of solid plastic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The universal heart valve rotator according to claim 9, in which said handle portion is flexably deformable.