Patent US6338740B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6338740B1
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US
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Flexible heart valve leaflets
Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corp
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Filing: 2000-01-26
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Granted: 2002-01-15
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Expires: 2020-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A heart valve with a structural stent and radially moveable cusps and commissures. The stent may be of three separate elements, each having a cusp portion and two commissure portions. The commissures may be pivotally or flexibly coupled, and may separate into independent leaflets. A connecting band may be provided that follows the cusps and commissures and extend outwardly. The valve may be connected to the natural tissue along the undulating connecting band. A multi-legged holder having legs alternating between each cusp and commissure may be used for implantation. A method of implantation is also disclosed, as is a system for implanting independent valve leaflets in the native annulus.
Inventors
- 👤 Alain F. Carpentier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2412; A61F2/2418; A61F2/2427; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/005; A61F2220/0066; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0013; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0023; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/902; Y10S623/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of surgically repairing a heart valve having multiple native leaflets located in a native annulus of a heart, comprising the steps of: providing an independent prosthetic leaflet; and, replacing a single native leaflet with the independent prosthetic leaflet; wherein the replacing step comprises positioning the independent prosthetic leaflet in the native annulus such that the independent prosthetic leaflet functions in conjunction with the remaining native leaflets to regulate blood flow through the annulus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of surgically repairing a heart valve having multiple native leaflets located in a native annulus of a heart, comprising the steps of: providing an independent prosthetic leaflet; and, replacing a single native leaflet with the independent prosthetic leaflet; wherein the replacing step comprises positioning the independent prosthetic leaflet in the native annulus such that the independent prosthetic leaflet functions in conjunction with the remaining native leaflets to regulate blood flow through the annulus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the independent leaflet comprises a flexible body having an arcuate fixation edge defined by a cusp region and two commissure regions, and a coapting edge between the two commissure regions, and a flexible support attached along the fixation edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The leaflet of claim 2 , wherein the flexible body is a biomaterial and the support comprises a strip of synthetic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The leaflet of claim 3 , wherein the flexible body is made of bovine pericardium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the replacing step further comprises passing a plurality of staples through the independent leaflet and the native annulus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the staples are made of a shape memory material, the method further comprising the step of regulating the temperature of the staples to induce a temperature-induced shape change in the staples that causes the staples to bend.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 6 , further comprising the steps of: providing an implantation device having a fluid circulation path; and, regulating the temperature of the fluid to regulate the temperature of the staples.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of bending the staples with an anvil.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of surgically repairing a heart valve having multiple native leaflets located in a native annulus of a heart, comprising: providing a plurality of individual prosthetic leaflets; and, replacing the native leaflets with the plurality of individual prosthetic leaflets; wherein the replacing step comprises sequentially and independently attaching each independent prosthetic leaflet to the native annulus.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of surgically repairing a heart valve having multiple native leaflets located in a native annulus of a heart, comprising: providing a plurality of individual prosthetic leaflets; and, replacing the native leaflets with the plurality of individual prosthetic leaflets; wherein the replacing step comprises sequentially and independently attaching each independent prosthetic leaflet to the native annulus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the number of individual prosthetic leaflets corresponds to the number of native leaflets.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein each independent leaflet comprises a flexible body having an arcuate fixation edge defined by a cusp region and two commissure regions, and a coapting edge between the two commissure regions, and a flexible support attached along the fixation edge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The leaflet of claim 11 , wherein the flexible body is a biomaterial and the support comprises a strip of synthetic material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The leaflet of claim 12 , wherein the flexible body is made of bovine pericardium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the replacing step further comprises passing a plurality of staples through the independent leaflet and the native annulus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the staples are made of a shape memory material, the method further comprising the step of regulating the temperature of the staples to induce a temperature-induced shape change in the staples that causes the staples to bend.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 15 , further comprising the steps of: providing an implantation device having a fluid circulation path; and, regulating the temperature of the fluid to regulate the temperature of the staples.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of bending the staples with an anvil.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of surgically repairing a heart valve having multiple native leaflets located in a native annulus of a heart, comprising: removing one or more, but not all, of the native leaflets; providing a number of independent prosthetic leaflets corresponding to the number of removed native leaflets; replacing the removed native leaflets with individual prosthetic leaflets; wherein the replacing step comprises sequentially and independently attaching each independent prosthetic leaflet to the native annulus; and positioning the independent prosthetic leaflets in the annulus adjacent the remaining native leaflets such that the independent prosthetic leaflets function in conjunction with the remaining native leaflets to regulate blood flow through the annulus.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of surgically repairing a heart valve having multiple native leaflets located in a native annulus of a heart, comprising: removing one or more, but not all, of the native leaflets; providing a number of independent prosthetic leaflets corresponding to the number of removed native leaflets; replacing the removed native leaflets with individual prosthetic leaflets; wherein the replacing step comprises sequentially and independently attaching each independent prosthetic leaflet to the native annulus; and positioning the independent prosthetic leaflets in the annulus adjacent the remaining native leaflets such that the independent prosthetic leaflets function in conjunction with the remaining native leaflets to regulate blood flow through the annulus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein each independent leaflet comprises a flexible body having an arcuate fixation edge defined by a cusp region and two commissure regions, and a coapting edge between the two commissure regions, and a flexible support attached along the fixation edge.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The leaflet of claim 19 , wherein the flexible body is a biomaterial and the support comprises a strip of synthetic material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The leaflet of claim 20 , wherein the flexible body is made of bovine pericardium.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the replacing step further comprises passing a plurality of staples through the independent leaflet and the native annulus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the staples are made of a shape memory material, the method further comprising the step of regulating the temperature of the staples to induce a temperature-induced shape change in the staples that causes the staples to bend.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 23 , further comprising the steps of: providing an implantation device having a fluid circulation path; and, regulating the temperature of the fluid to regulate the temperature of the staples.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising the step of bending the staples with an anvil.
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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) | 2005-01-14 | 2005-07-16 | 2006-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-01-14 | 2009-07-16 | 2010-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-01-14 | 2013-07-16 | 2014-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |