Artificial Heart Valve

A leaflet arrangement for an artificial heart valve, the leaflet arrangement comprising:

• a flexible leaflet configured for attachment to a frame of the artificial heart valve;
• and
• a support member attached to the leaflet,
• wherein, the leaflet arrangement is attachable to the frame together with one or more other identical leaflet arrangements, so that:
• the leaflets of the leaflet arrangements are movable relative to the frame between an open configuration, in which the leaflets permit blood flow therebetween in a direction having at least a component in a forward direction, and a closed configuration, in which the leaflets prevent or restrict blood flow therebetween in a direction having at least a component in a backward direction which is opposite to the forward direction,
• the support members of the leaflet arrangements are movable with the leaflets relative to the frame, and
• when the leaflets of the leaflet arrangements are in the closed configuration and exposed to a back pressure having at least a component in the backward direction, a force is exerted on the leaflets in the backward direction and the support members at least partially prevent or resist deformation of the leaflets.

A method of manufacturing an artificial heart valve, the method comprising:

• attaching a corresponding support member to each flexible leaflet of a plurality of flexible leaflets, and
• attaching each leaflet to a frame,
• wherein the leaflets are movable relative to the frame between an open configuration, in which the leaflets permit blood flow therebetween in a direction having at least a component in a forward direction, and a closed configuration, in which the leaflets prevent or restrict blood flow therebetween in a direction having at least a component in a backward direction which is opposite to the forward direction,
• wherein the support members are movable with the leaflets relative to the frame, and
• wherein, when the leaflets are in the closed configuration and exposed to a back pressure having at least a component in the backward direction, a force is exerted on the leaflets in the backward direction and the support members at least partially prevent or resist deformation of the leaflets.