Polymeric heart valve

A polymeric valve, comprising:

• a stent;
• and
• a plurality of leaflets, each of the leaflets having an operative end, the operative ends of the leaflets being biased in a closed position such that the operative ends abut each other, the operative ends being configured to open and close in relation to each other, and the leaflets including multiple cross sectional thicknesses at different portions of the leaflets,
• wherein the leaflets comprise a middle portion between the first end and the operative end,
• wherein a first portion between the first end and the middle portion is thinner than the first end,
• wherein the middle portion is about the same thickness as the first end,
• wherein a second portion between the middle portion and the operative end is about the same thickness as the first portion,
• wherein the operative end is about the same thickness as the first end, and
• wherein the first end, the first portion, the middle portion, the second portion and the operative end are aligned from the first end to the operative end.

A method for manufacturing a heart valve using injection molding, comprising:

• configuring a stent having a base;
• configuring a plurality of leaflets each connected to the base;
• molding each of the leaflets having an operative end, and the operative ends of the leaflets are biased in a closed position such that the operative ends abut each other;
• configuring the operative ends to open and close in relation to each other;
• molding the leaflets including multiple thicknesses of cross sectional areas at different portions of the leaflets;
• and
• heating a resulting mold derived from the steps above.

A polymeric valve, comprising:

• a stent having a base;
• and
• a plurality of leaflets each connected to the base, each of the leaflets having an operative end, the operative ends of the leaflets being biased in a closed position such that the operative ends abut each other, and the leaflets including multiple cross sectional thicknesses at different portions of the leaflets,
• wherein the leaflets are connected to the base at a first end, and comprise a middle portion between the first end and the operative end,
• wherein a first portion is between the first end and the middle portion,
• wherein a second portion is between the middle portion and the operative end, and
• wherein the first end, the first portion, the middle portion, the second portion and the operative end are aligned from the first end to the operative end.