Natural tissue valve prostheses having variably complaint leaflets
AssigneeBaxter International Inc.
InventorsCary Hata, Roger Tu, Hsing-Wen Sung, Shih-Hwa Shen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Variably compliant natural tissue valve leaflets and vascular bioprosthetics incorporating variably compliant leaflets are provided along with methods for their manufacture. The variably compliant leaflets are fixed with the leaflet base section under greater pressure than the leaflet tip section rendering them relatively stiff along the leaflet base section and more flexible at the leaflet tip section. The radially variable flexing characteristics of the valve leaflets promote even distribution of mechanical stress on the valve assembly during the cardiac cycle leading to improved hemodynamic performance while retarding the calcification of the leaflet tissue.
Claims6
A natural tissue valve prosthesis having improved hemodynamic characteristics and resistance to calcification comprising:
- a fixed natural tissue valve assembly having a circumferential annular margin and one or more valve leaflets pivotally attached thereto, each of said one or more valve leaflets having a pressure fixed leaflet base section adjacent to said circumferential annular margin and a lower pressure fixed leaflet tip section radially disposed therefrom, said leaflet tip section being more compliant than said leaflet base section, and wherein said leaflet tip section is less fixed than said leaflet base section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.