US7481838B2 — Flexible heart valve and associated connecting ba…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 128 words

A prosthetic heart valve, comprising: a flexible stent having alternating inflow cusps and outflow commissures; a plurality of flexible leaflets attached to the stent so as to form a one-way valve within the stent; and a suture-permeable connecting band attached to the stent providing outer free margins in the assembled heart valve and a flexible interface for suturing the valve to surrounding host tissue; wherein the connecting band closely conforms to the alternating stent cusps and commissures and defines an axial gap along the commissures opening in the inflow direction for enhancing freedom of movement of the stent cusps, and wherein the stent has bioresorbable commissures and is designed to separate the valve into individual leaflets after implant, and the connecting band is discontinuous at the stent commissures.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 128 words

A prosthetic heart valve, comprising: a flexible stent having alternating inflow cusps and outflow commissures; a plurality of flexible leaflets attached to the stent so as to form a one-way valve within the stent; and a suture-permeable connecting band attached to the stent providing outer free margins in the assembled heart valve and a flexible interface for suturing the valve to surrounding host tissue; wherein the connecting band closely conforms to the alternating stent cusps and commissures and defines an axial gap along the commissures opening in the inflow direction for enhancing freedom of movement of the stent cusps, and wherein the stent has bioresorbable commissures and is designed to separate the valve into individual leaflets after implant, and the connecting band is discontinuous at the stent commissures.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 17 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1 , wherein there are three stent cusps and three commissures.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 42 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1 , wherein the connecting band includes three cusp portions separated by three upstanding commissure portions, and wherein the cusp portions each define an inner generally radially oriented ledge for receiving and supporting the stent cusps.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 50 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 3 , wherein the outer free margins of the connecting band are angled upwardly and outwardly with respect to a central axis of the connecting band at each cusp portion and gradually re-align to be parallel to the central axis along the commissure portions.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 27 words

The connecting band of claim 1 , wherein the stent comprises individual stent members joined with bioresorbable material at abutting commissure regions to form the bioresorbable commissures.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1 , wherein the stent comprises a fabric covered rod-like structure.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 34 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 6 , wherein the fabric covering closely surrounds the rod-like structure and exhibits a flap projecting outward therefrom substantially the entire length of the stent cusps and commissures.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 31 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 7 , wherein the flap has a width that varies along the cusps and commissures of the stent, the flap being narrower in the cusps.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 48 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 7 , wherein the leaflets each have an arcuate cusp edge and a coapting edge, and wherein the connecting band attaches along the fabric covering flap and the cusp edges of the leaflets are attached between the band and the stent flap.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 18 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 7 , wherein the connecting band attaches along the fabric covering flap.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1 , wherein the stent is highly flexible and permits relative radial cusp movement.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 15 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 11 , wherein the stent is made of Nitinol.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 166 words

A highly flexible prosthetic heart valve, consisting essentially of: a flexible elongated stent formed generally in a tube with cusp regions on an inflow end alternating with commissure tips on an outflow end to form an undulating periphery, the stent having commissure regions on either side of each cusp region wherein the commissure tips join adjacent commissure regions and the juxtaposed commissure regions define axial spaces therebetween; a plurality of flexible leaflets attached to the stent so as to form a one-way valve within the stent; and a suture-permeable band having a shape that mimics the alternating stent cusps and commissures and is attached along the undulating periphery of the stent so as to project outward from the stent along the stent cusps and commissures and provide an interface between the assembled valve and surrounding host tissue, and wherein the stent has bioresorbable commissures and is designed to separate the valve into individual leaflets after implant, and the suture-permeable band is discontinuous at the stent commissures.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 166 words

A highly flexible prosthetic heart valve, consisting essentially of: a flexible elongated stent formed generally in a tube with cusp regions on an inflow end alternating with commissure tips on an outflow end to form an undulating periphery, the stent having commissure regions on either side of each cusp region wherein the commissure tips join adjacent commissure regions and the juxtaposed commissure regions define axial spaces therebetween; a plurality of flexible leaflets attached to the stent so as to form a one-way valve within the stent; and a suture-permeable band having a shape that mimics the alternating stent cusps and commissures and is attached along the undulating periphery of the stent so as to project outward from the stent along the stent cusps and commissures and provide an interface between the assembled valve and surrounding host tissue, and wherein the stent has bioresorbable commissures and is designed to separate the valve into individual leaflets after implant, and the suture-permeable band is discontinuous at the stent commissures.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 43 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 13 , wherein the band includes arcuate cusp portions generally conforming to the stent cusp regions and commissure portions therebetween each having an inverted U-shape to define a downwardly opening gap that enhances flexibility of the valve.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 46 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 14 , wherein the commissure portions of the band are generally planar and axially aligned, and the cusp portions of the band each include an outwardly angled portion and an inwardly angled ledge sized to support the stent cusp regions.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 28 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 15 , wherein the inwardly angled ledges of the cusp portions of the band are sized to support the stent cusp regions.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 29 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 15 , wherein the suture-permeable band has a free margin along the undulating periphery for connecting the heart valve to an anatomical orifice.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 30 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 13 , wherein the axial spaces are generally triangular and gradually increase in size from the attached commissure tips to the diverging cusp regions.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 28 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 13 , wherein the stent comprises individual stent members joined with bioresorbable material at abutting commissure regions to form the bioresorbable commissures.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 31 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 13 , further comprising a fabric covering on the stent that exhibits a flap projecting outward therefrom substantially the entire length of the undulating periphery.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 69 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 20 , further comprising a plurality of flexible leaflets attached to the stent so as to form a one-way valve within the stent wherein the leaflets each have an arcuate cusp edge and a coapting edge, and wherein the suture-permeable band attaches along the fabric covering flap and the cusp edges of the leaflets are attached between the band and the stent flap.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 20 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 13 , wherein the stent is highly flexible and permits relative radial cusp movement.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 15 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 22 , wherein the stent is made of Nitinol.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 116 words

A prosthetic heart valve, comprising: a flexible stent having alternating inflow cusps and outflow commissures; a plurality of flexible leaflets attached to the stent so as to form a one-way valve within the stent; and a suture-permeable connecting band attached to the stent providing an interface between the valve and surrounding host tissue; wherein the connecting band conforms to the alternating stent cusps and commissures and defines an axial gap along the commissures opening in the inflow direction for enhancing freedom of movement of the stent cusps, and wherein the stent has bioresorbable commissures and is designed to separate the valve into individual leaflets after implant, and the connecting band is discontinuous at the stent commissures.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 116 words

A prosthetic heart valve, comprising: a flexible stent having alternating inflow cusps and outflow commissures; a plurality of flexible leaflets attached to the stent so as to form a one-way valve within the stent; and a suture-permeable connecting band attached to the stent providing an interface between the valve and surrounding host tissue; wherein the connecting band conforms to the alternating stent cusps and commissures and defines an axial gap along the commissures opening in the inflow direction for enhancing freedom of movement of the stent cusps, and wherein the stent has bioresorbable commissures and is designed to separate the valve into individual leaflets after implant, and the connecting band is discontinuous at the stent commissures.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 40 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 24 , wherein the connecting band includes cusp portions separated by upstanding commissure portions, and wherein the cusp portions each define an inner generally radially oriented ledge for receiving and supporting the stent cusps.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 38 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 24 , wherein the connecting band includes cusp portions separated by upstanding commissure portions and an outer free margin along a periphery thereof for connecting the heart valve to an anatomical orifice.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 47 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 26 , wherein the connecting band outer free margin angles upwardly and outwardly with respect to a central axis of the connecting band at each cusp portion and gradually re-aligns to be parallel to the central axis along the commissure portions.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 43 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 24 , wherein the stent comprises a fabric covered rod-like structure, wherein the fabric covering closely surrounds the rod-like structure and exhibits a flap projecting outward therefrom substantially the entire length of the stent cusps and commissures.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 49 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 28 , wherein the leaflets each have an arcuate cusp edge and a coapting edge, and wherein the connecting band attaches along the fabric covering flap and the cusp edges of the leaflets are attached between the connecting band and the stent flap.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 143 words

A prosthetic heart valve, comprising: a flexible stent having alternating inflow cusps and outflow commissures, wherein the stent comprises a fabric covered rod-like structure, wherein the fabric covering closely surrounds the rod-like structure and exhibits a flap projecting outward therefrom substantially the entire length of the stent cusps and commissures, and has a width that varies along the cusps and commissures of the stent, the flap being narrower in the cusps; a plurality of flexible leaflets attached to the stent so as to form a one-way valve within the stent; and a suture-permeable connecting band attached to the stent providing an interface between the valve and surrounding host tissue; wherein the connecting band conforms to the alternating stent cusps and commissures and defines an axial gap along the commissures opening in the inflow direction for enhancing freedom of movement of the stent cusps.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 143 words

A prosthetic heart valve, comprising: a flexible stent having alternating inflow cusps and outflow commissures, wherein the stent comprises a fabric covered rod-like structure, wherein the fabric covering closely surrounds the rod-like structure and exhibits a flap projecting outward therefrom substantially the entire length of the stent cusps and commissures, and has a width that varies along the cusps and commissures of the stent, the flap being narrower in the cusps; a plurality of flexible leaflets attached to the stent so as to form a one-way valve within the stent; and a suture-permeable connecting band attached to the stent providing an interface between the valve and surrounding host tissue; wherein the connecting band conforms to the alternating stent cusps and commissures and defines an axial gap along the commissures opening in the inflow direction for enhancing freedom of movement of the stent cusps.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 40 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 30 , wherein the connecting band includes cusp portions separated by upstanding commissure portions, and wherein the cusp portions each define an inner generally radially oriented ledge for receiving and supporting the stent cusps.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 38 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 30 , wherein the connecting band includes cusp portions separated by upstanding commissure portions and an outer free margin along a periphery thereof for connecting the heart valve to an anatomical orifice.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 47 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 32 , wherein the connecting band outer free margin angles upwardly and outwardly with respect to a central axis of the connecting band at each cusp portion and gradually re-aligns to be parallel to the central axis along the commissure portions.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 49 words

The prosthetic heart valve of claim 30 , wherein the leaflets each have an arcuate cusp edge and a coapting edge, and wherein the connecting band attaches along the fabric covering flap and the cusp edges of the leaflets are attached between the connecting band and the stent flap.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2012-01-27	2012-07-28	2013-01-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2016-01-27	2016-07-28	2017-01-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2020-01-27	2020-07-28	2021-01-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Flexible heart valve and associated connecting band

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