Patent US6334873B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6334873B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Heart valve having tissue retention with anchors and an outer sheath
Assignee: PFG AUTOGENICS INVESTMENTS LLC
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Filing: 1998-09-28
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Granted: 2002-01-01
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Expires: 2018-09-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and a method for constructing a heart valve prepared from autologous tissue. Three tissue leaflets are held in place with tissue anchors on a tissue mounting frame having an annular base and a plurality of commissure posts extending from the base. An elastomeric sheath rests gently on the tissue leaflets to prevent the leaflets from coming off of the anchor hooks and encloses the leaflets to form valve cusps. The leaflets touch each other on a coaptation line with an angle of approximately 65° relative to the commissure post. The heart valves can be constructed intraoperatively in a short time, typically ten minutes. The low coaptation angle and the fact that the leaflets are held in place without being clamped between two unyielding members minimize stress on the tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest Lane
- 👤 David Tompkins
- 👤 David Hemsley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2409; A61F2/2412; A61F2/2415; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A tissue heart valve comprising: (a) a sub-assembly including: a tissue mounting frame having a generally cylindrical base, a plurality of commissure posts, and a plurality of outwardly projecting tissue anchors; a sewing ring attached to said tissue mounting frame, and an elastomeric sheath attached to said tissue mounting frame; and (b) a plurality of tissue leaflets intraoperatively cut and retained by respective tissue anchors so that said tissue leaflets are sequentially located around the circumference of said tissue mounting frame with each leaflet extending from one commissure post to an adjacent commissure post, with said elastomeric sheath (i) resting gently on tissue leaflets to maintain said leaflets to said tissue anchors, and (ii) enclosing the upper portion of said commissure posts and the tissue leaflets attached thereto so that the leaflets form valve cusps, wherein said tissue leaflets are oversized to promote the formation of valve cusps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A tissue heart valve comprising: (a) a sub-assembly including: a tissue mounting frame having a generally cylindrical base, a plurality of commissure posts, and a plurality of outwardly projecting tissue anchors; a sewing ring attached to said tissue mounting frame, and an elastomeric sheath attached to said tissue mounting frame; and (b) a plurality of tissue leaflets intraoperatively cut and retained by respective tissue anchors so that said tissue leaflets are sequentially located around the circumference of said tissue mounting frame with each leaflet extending from one commissure post to an adjacent commissure post, with said elastomeric sheath (i) resting gently on tissue leaflets to maintain said leaflets to said tissue anchors, and (ii) enclosing the upper portion of said commissure posts and the tissue leaflets attached thereto so that the leaflets form valve cusps, wherein said tissue leaflets are oversized to promote the formation of valve cusps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tissue heart valve of claim 1 , wherein said tissue mounting frame comprises an inner frame secured to an outer frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tissue heart valve of claim 1 , wherein said tissue leaflets are oversized so that said elastomeric sheath holds said plurality of tissue leaflets together with a physiologically representative coaptation angle of less than 90°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The heart valve of claim 3 , wherein said coaptation to commissure post angle is approximately 65°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The heart valve of claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric sheath self adjusts to apply equal force to said tissue leaflets on said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The heart valve of claim 1 , wherein said tissue anchors are hooks and said elastomeric sheath has a plurality of holes accommodating said hooks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The heart valve of claim 6 , wherein openings in said elastomeric sheath accommodate the exterior portions of said hooks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The heart valve of claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric sheath is factory aligned with said tissue mounting frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The heart valve of claim 1 , wherein the tissue leaflets are supported and retained by the combination of (i) mounting openings in said leaflets respectively mounted on said tissue anchors and (ii) said elastomeric sheath engaging a peripheral portion of said tissue leaflets between said outer elastomeric sheath and said inner tissue mounting frame, without clamping said tissue between two unyielding members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The heart valve of claim 1 , wherein said tissue leaflets comprise partially fixed autologous tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The heart valve of claim 1 , wherein said tissue leaflets comprise partially fixed autologous pericardial tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The heart valve of claim 1 , wherein said tissue mounting frame is covered with a fabric.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
148 words
A tissue heart valve comprising: (a) a sub-assembly including: a tissue mounting frame having a generally cylindrical base, a plurality of commissure posts, and a plurality of outwardly projecting tissue anchors, wherein said tissue mounting frame is covered with a fabric comprising polyethylene terephthalate; a sewing ring attached to said tissue mounting frame, and an elastomeric sheath attached to said tissue mounting frame; and (b) a plurality of tissue leaflets intraoperatively cut and retained by respective tissue anchors so that said tissue leaflets are sequentially located around the circumference of said tissue mounting frame with each leaflet extending from one commissure post to an adjacent commissure post, with said elastomeric sheath (i) resting gently on tissue leaflets to maintain said leaflets to said tissue anchors, and (ii) enclosing the upper portion of said commissure posts and the tissue leaflets attached thereto so that the leaflets form valve cusps.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
148 words
A tissue heart valve comprising: (a) a sub-assembly including: a tissue mounting frame having a generally cylindrical base, a plurality of commissure posts, and a plurality of outwardly projecting tissue anchors, wherein said tissue mounting frame is covered with a fabric comprising polyethylene terephthalate; a sewing ring attached to said tissue mounting frame, and an elastomeric sheath attached to said tissue mounting frame; and (b) a plurality of tissue leaflets intraoperatively cut and retained by respective tissue anchors so that said tissue leaflets are sequentially located around the circumference of said tissue mounting frame with each leaflet extending from one commissure post to an adjacent commissure post, with said elastomeric sheath (i) resting gently on tissue leaflets to maintain said leaflets to said tissue anchors, and (ii) enclosing the upper portion of said commissure posts and the tissue leaflets attached thereto so that the leaflets form valve cusps.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
81 words
A heart valve comprising: a frame comprising an annular base and a plurality of posts extending from said base; a plurality of tissue anchors attached to said frame; a plurality of tissue leaflets retained by said tissue anchors, wherein said tissue anchors are hooks and said tissue leaflets are retained on multiple hooks on said frame; and a flexible elastomeric sheath, wherein said sheath fits around said frame and said tissue leaflets and retains said tissue leaflets on said tissue anchors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
81 words
A heart valve comprising: a frame comprising an annular base and a plurality of posts extending from said base; a plurality of tissue anchors attached to said frame; a plurality of tissue leaflets retained by said tissue anchors, wherein said tissue anchors are hooks and said tissue leaflets are retained on multiple hooks on said frame; and a flexible elastomeric sheath, wherein said sheath fits around said frame and said tissue leaflets and retains said tissue leaflets on said tissue anchors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
76 words
A heart valve comprising: a frame comprising an annular base and a plurality of posts extending from said base; a plurality of tissue anchors attached to said frame; a plurality of tissue leaflets retained by said tissue anchors, wherein said tissue leaflets are oversized to promote the formation of valve cusps; and a flexible elastomeric sheath, wherein said sheath fits around said frame and said tissue leaflets and retains said tissue leaflets on said tissue anchors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
76 words
A heart valve comprising: a frame comprising an annular base and a plurality of posts extending from said base; a plurality of tissue anchors attached to said frame; a plurality of tissue leaflets retained by said tissue anchors, wherein said tissue leaflets are oversized to promote the formation of valve cusps; and a flexible elastomeric sheath, wherein said sheath fits around said frame and said tissue leaflets and retains said tissue leaflets on said tissue anchors.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
A heart valve comprising: a frame comprising an annular base and a plurality of posts extending from said base; a plurality of tissue anchors attached to said frame; a plurality of tissue leaflets retained by said tissue anchors; and a flexible elastomeric sheath, wherein said sheath fits around said frame and said tissue leaflets and retains said tissue leaflets on said tissue anchors, wherein said elastomeric sheath holds said plurality of tissue leaflets together at a coaptation angle less than 90°.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
81 words
A heart valve comprising: a frame comprising an annular base and a plurality of posts extending from said base; a plurality of tissue anchors attached to said frame; a plurality of tissue leaflets retained by said tissue anchors; and a flexible elastomeric sheath, wherein said sheath fits around said frame and said tissue leaflets and retains said tissue leaflets on said tissue anchors, wherein said elastomeric sheath holds said plurality of tissue leaflets together at a coaptation angle less than 90°.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The heart valve of claim 14 , wherein said elastomeric sheath has a plurality of holes accommodating said hooks.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
74 words
A heart valve comprising: a frame comprising an annular base and a plurality of posts extending from said base, wherein said frame is covered with a fabric comprising polyethylene terephthalate; a plurality of tissue anchors attached to said frame; a plurality of tissue leaflets retained by said tissue anchors; and a flexible elastomeric sheath, wherein said sheath fits around said frame and said tissue leaflets and retains said tissue leaflets on said tissue anchors.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
74 words
A heart valve comprising: a frame comprising an annular base and a plurality of posts extending from said base, wherein said frame is covered with a fabric comprising polyethylene terephthalate; a plurality of tissue anchors attached to said frame; a plurality of tissue leaflets retained by said tissue anchors; and a flexible elastomeric sheath, wherein said sheath fits around said frame and said tissue leaflets and retains said tissue leaflets on said tissue anchors.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The heart valve of claim 15 , wherein said tissue leaflets comprise autologous tissue.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The heart valve of claim 19 , wherein said autologous tissue is partially fixed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The heart valve of claim 19 , wherein said autologous tissue is unfixed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The heart valve of claim 19 , wherein said autologous tissue leaflets comprise bovine tissue.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-31 | 2005-07-02 | 2006-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-31 | 2009-07-02 | 2010-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-31 | 2013-07-02 | 2014-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |