Method of making unitized three leaflet heart valve
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare
InventorsJohn W. Boretos, Norio Iriguchi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An artificial heart valve comprising a semi-rigid framework having three projecting symmetrical struts and open axially therethrough, as well as a polyurethane elastomeric membrane attached to the struts and constituting three leaflets, is formed by molding the framework, including the base and strut, using polyurethane resin; forming the elastomeric membrane, of polyurethane resin which is thin relative to the framework, and forming a thickened commissure along the leading edge of the membrane as well as reinforcing lines radiating from its base; then joining the framework with the elastomeric membrane using an adhesive cement so as to permanently bond the membrane to the framework.
Claims9
A method of producing an artificial heart valve, comprising the steps of:
- molding an artificial heart framework, including a base and struts, using polyurethane resin;
- forming an elastomeric membrane, of polyurethane resin which is thin relative to said framework, and forming a thickened commissure along the leading edge of said membrane, and forming a plurality of lines, thicker than said membrane, radiating from the base of said membrane;
- joining said framework with said elastomeric membrane using an adhesive cement, and permanently bonding said membrane to said framework.
A method of producing an artificial heart valve, comprising the steps of:
- injection molding a framework using polyurethane, including a base and struts of the heart valve;
- annealing said framework for relieving residual strains in said framework;
- forming an elastomeric membrane having a base and a commissure area, of polyurethane thin relative to said framework, by solvent casting, using a first mandrel, and reinforcing the commissure area by building up a lip, thick relative to the thickness of said membrane, along the leading edge of said membrane, and forming a plurality of lines, thicker than said membrane, radiating from the base of said membrane;
- drying said membrane to remove solvent therefrom;
- peeling said membrane from said first mandrel;
- orienting said framework over a second mandrel having a trileaflet design and coating said membrane with a polyurethane solvent;
- placing said membrane over said second mandrel, on said framework;
- applying solvent or adhesive cement, and pressure to a bond line between said membrane and said framework, until said membrane and framework are permanently bonded together;
- removing said framework and membrane from said second mandrel;
- permanently bonding a suture ring to the base of said framework using solvent or adhesive cement;
- and
- drying the valve to remove said solvent
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.