# US 11,432,923 B2 · Flexible commissure frame > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,432,923 B2 - Document ID: US11432923B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/112,556 - Filed: 2018-08-24 - Published: 2018-12-20 - Granted: 2022-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-02-18 - Assignees: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation - Applicants: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation - Inventors: Tamir S. Levi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11432923B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/2418: {Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract Prosthetic devices and frames for implantation at a cardiac valve annulus are provided that include an annular frame (having an inflow end and an outflow end) and a plurality of axial frame members that bridge two circumferentially extending rows of angled struts. The axial frame members can include a plurality of axially extending leaflet attachment members and a plurality of axial struts in a 1:1 ratio. Along each of the two rows, the frame can have at least three angled struts between adjacent axial frame members. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An annular frame for a prosthetic heart valve, the annular frame comprising: an inflow end; an outflow end; a first row of angled struts defining the outflow end; a second row of angled struts being closer to the inflow end than the first row of angled struts; a third row of angled struts being closer to the inflow end than the second row of angled struts; and a plurality of axial frame members bridging the first and second rows of angled struts; wherein the plurality of axial frame members have respective first ends and second ends, the first ends being linked by the first row of angled struts and the second ends being linked by the second row of angled struts; wherein the plurality of axial frame members comprises a plurality of axially extending commissure supports configured to support respective commissures of leaflets of the prosthetic heart valve and one or more axial struts located between any two commissure supports; wherein at least three angled struts in the first row separate at least one commissure support and an immediately adjacent axial strut in a circumferential direction; wherein each axial strut bridges the first and second rows of angled struts, and is straight and extends parallel to the commissure supports along the entire length of the axial strut. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The annular frame of claim 1, further comprising a fourth row of angled struts defining the inflow end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The annular frame of claim 1, wherein there is exactly one axial strut located between any pair of commissure supports comprising a first commissure support and a second commissure support nearest to the first commissure support in the circumferential direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The annular frame of claim 1, wherein there are at least three angled struts in the first row between any two immediately adjacent axial frame members in the circumferential direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The annular frame of claim 4, wherein there are exactly three angled struts in the first row between any two immediately adjacent axial frame members in the circumferential direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The annular frame of claim 4, wherein there are exactly four angled struts in the first row between any two immediately adjacent axial frame members in the circumferential direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The annular frame of claim 1, wherein there is exactly one pair of axial struts located between any pair of commissure supports comprising a first commissure support and a second commissure support nearest to the first commissure support in a circumferential direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The annular frame of claim 7, wherein there are exactly two angled struts in the first row between the exactly one pair of axial struts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The annular frame of claim 7, wherein there are exactly three angled struts in the first row between each commissure supports and any of its immediately adjacent axial struts in the circumferential direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The annular frame of claim 1, wherein a convergence of immediately adjacent angled struts in the first row defines a first set of alternating upper ends and lower ends, and a convergence of immediately adjacent angled struts in the second row defines a second set of alternating upper ends and lower ends. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The annular frame of claim 10, wherein the upper ends and lower ends in the first set are axially aligned with the upper ends and lower ends in the second set, respectively. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The annular frame of claim 10, wherein the upper ends and lower ends in the first set are axially aligned with the lower ends and upper ends in the second set, respectively. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The annular frame of claim 10, wherein each commissure support extends between an upper end in the first set and a corresponding upper end in the second set. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The annular frame of claim 10, wherein each commissure support extends between a lower end in the first set and a corresponding lower end in the second set. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The annular frame of claim 10, wherein each commissure support extends between a lower end in the first set and a corresponding upper end in the second set. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The annular frame of claim 10, wherein each commissure support extends between an upper end in the first set and a corresponding lower end in the second set. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The annular frame of claim 10, wherein the axial struts are longer than the commissure supports. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The annular frame of claim 10, wherein the axial struts are shorter than the commissure supports. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The annular frame of claim 10, wherein the axial struts have about the same length as the commissure supports. ### Claim 20 An annular frame for a prosthetic heart valve, the annular frame comprising: an inflow end; an outflow end; a first row of angled struts defining the outflow end; a second row of angled struts being closer to the inflow end than the first row of angled struts; a third row of angled struts being closer to the inflow end than the second row of angled struts; and a plurality of axial frame members bridging the first and second rows of angled struts; wherein the plurality of axial frame members have respective first ends and second ends, the first ends being linked by the first row of angled struts and the second ends being linked by the second row of angled struts; wherein the plurality of axial frame members comprises a plurality of axially extending commissure supports configured to support respective commissures of leaflets of the prosthetic heart valve and one or more axial struts located between any two commissure supports in a circumferential direction; wherein a ratio of the number of angled struts in the first row to the number of axial frame members is greater than 2:1; wherein each axial strut bridges the first and second rows of angled struts, and is straight and extends parallel to the commissure supports along the entire length of the atrial strut. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The annular frame of claim 20, wherein the number of axial struts and the number of commissure supports have a 1:1 ratio. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The annular frame of claim 20, wherein the number of axial struts and the number of commissure supports have a 2:1 ratio. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The annular frame of claim 20, wherein there are at least three angled struts in the first row between any two immediately adjacent axial frame members in the circumferential direction. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The annular frame of claim 20, wherein at least three angled struts in the first row separate at least one commissure support and an immediately adjacent axial strut in the circumferential direction.