Prosthetic heart valves with elastic support structures and related methods

#The subject matter described herein relates to prosthetic heart valves, and more particularly to prosthetic heart valves having a support structure that stores energy and actively assists in the opening and closing of the leaflets.

#The human heart has a number of valves for maintaining the flow of blood through the body in the proper direction. The major valves of the heart are the atrioventricular (AV) valves, including the bicuspid (mitral) and the tricuspid valves, and the semilunar valves, including the aortic and the pulmonary valves. When healthy, each of these valves operates in a similar manner. The valve translates between an open state (that permits the flow of blood) and a closed state (that prevents the flow of blood) in response to pressure differentials that arise on opposite sides of the valve.

#A patient's health can be placed at serious risk if any of these valves begin to malfunction. Although the malfunction can be due to a variety of reasons, it typically results in either a blood flow restricting stenosis or a regurgitation, where blood is permitted to flow in the wrong direction. If the deficiency is severe, then the heart valve may require replacement.

#The details of the subject matter set forth herein, both as to its structure and operation, may be apparent by study of the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the subject matter. Moreover, all illustrations are intended to convey concepts, where relative sizes, shapes and other detailed attributes may be illustrated schematically rather than literally or precisely.

#FIGS. 1A-1B are a perspective view and a top down view, respectively, depicting an example embodiment of a prosthetic heart valve in a neutral position.

#FIGS. 2A-2C are a perspective view, a top down view, and a side view, respectively, depicting an example embodiment of a prosthetic heart valve in an open position.

#Before the present subject matter is described in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims.

#Example embodiments of systems, devices, kits, and methods are provided herein that relate to valve replacement in a human or animal subject. For ease of description, these embodiments of the prosthetic heart valve are three-leaflet valves implantable through open heart surgery, and thus are not compressible and expandable for trans-catheter delivery.

#However, the present subject matter is not limited only to such embodiments, and the subject matter can be applied to trans-catheter implantable heart valves that have a first, radially compressed state for housing in a tubular catheter and delivery from the catheter's open distal end, and a second, radially expanded state for normal operation within the heart. Likewise, the subject matter can be applied to prosthetic heart valves having only two leaflets, or having more than three leaflets, whether implantable through open heart surgery or trans-catheter delivery. These prosthetics may also be used to replace valves in other locations in the patient's body outside of the heart.