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US 12,508,127 B2Granted
Shape memory polymer foams to seal space around valves
AssigneeShape Memory Medical, Inc.
InventorLandon D. Nash
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An embodiment includes individual SMP foams that radially expand and fill gaps around a heart valve that may be improperly seated, in an unusual cross section, or has poor apposition against a calcified lesion. Other embodiments are described herein.
Claims15
An apparatus comprising:
- a valve support structure including at least one of a metal, a polymer, or combinations thereof;
- a valve included within the valve support structure;
- a polyurethane shape memory polymer SMP foam;
- a membrane;
- wherein (a) (i) at least a portion of a first half of the foam fixedly couples to a first portion of the valve support structure, and (a) (ii) no portion of a second half of the foam fixedly couples to a second portion of the valve support structure;
- wherein in a first orientation (b) (i) the valve support structure has a first maximum outer diameter, and (b) (ii) the valve support structure has a first length measured parallel to a long axis of the valve support structure;
- wherein in a second orientation (c) (i) the valve support structure has a second maximum outer diameter that is greater than the first maximum outer diameter;
- and (c) (ii) the valve support structure has a second length that is less than the first length;
- wherein in response to the at least a portion of the first half of the foam being fixedly coupled to the first portion of the valve support structure, and no portion of the second half of the foam being fixedly coupled to the second portion of the valve support structure, the foam is to move dependent upon the first portion of the valve support structure and independent of the second portion of the valve support structure when the apparatus transitions from the first orientation to the second orientation;
- wherein a first plane, orthogonal to the long axis of the valve support structure, intersects the foam and the first portion of the valve support structure;
- wherein a second plane, orthogonal to the long axis of the valve support structure, intersects the foam and the second portion of the valve support structure;
- wherein the first plane does not intersect the second portion of the valve support structure;
- wherein the second plane does not intersect the first portion of the valve support structure;
- wherein the membrane includes a skirt that folds around the foam;
- wherein the membrane is between the valve support structure and the foam.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.