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US 5,895,419 AGranted
Coated prosthetic cardiac device
AssigneeSt. Jude Medical, Inc.
InventorsKatherine S. Tweden, William R. Holmberg, Darrin J. Bergman, Terry L. Shepherd
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Abstract
The present invention includes a metallic coating on portions of the prosthesis to enhance the overall acceptability of the implantable device or fabric/sutures used to implant the prosthesis. The preferred metal is silver, which is applied to surfaces which are exposed to the heart tissue. The silver-treated portions of these devices inhibit or greatly reduce colonization of endocarditis-causing bacteria without impacting the overall biocompatibility of the device.
Claims14
An implantable heart prosthesis, said prosthesis comprising:
- an orifice ring having an outer periphery and an inner periphery, said ring defining an annulus;
- said annulus defining a passage for the flow of blood;
- a fabric member coupled to at least said outer periphery of said orifice ring and adapted for coupling to a patient's heart tissue for an extended duration;
- said fabric member carrying silver to thereby substantially inhibit microbial growth on the fabric member.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.