Adjustment assembly for an adjustable prosthetic valve device

An adjustment assembly for an adjustable prosthetic valve device, comprising:

• a first gearbox sleeve having a first end and a second end, and forming a cavity therein;
• a second gearbox sleeve having a first end and a second end, and forming a cavity therein;
• a gearbox housing comprising a first gearbox shell and a second gearbox shell, the first and second gearbox shells each comprising a center portion and two lateral portions extending from opposite sides of the center portion, at least one of the lateral portions of each gearbox shell having a projection on an exterior surface thereof;
• wherein a first end of each gearbox sleeve includes at least one opening adapted to engage a corresponding projection formed on one of the gearbox shells, whereby the gearbox shells are held together to form a gearbox housing;
• wherein the gearbox housing is adapted to support a gear assembly therein, the gear assembly comprising a center gear and two driven gears, each of the gears comprising a shaft portion and a gear portion;
• wherein the gear portion of the center gear engages the gear portions of each of the driven gears;
• wherein an interior surface of each lateral portion of the gearbox shells provides a bearing surface for the shaft portion of a corresponding one of the driven gears;
• and
• wherein the center portion of each gearbox shell includes an opening adapted to accommodate an end of the shaft portion of the center gear.

A gearbox sleeve for an adjustable prosthetic valve device, comprising:

• a first end forming an internal cavity therein;
• a second end adapted to engage a spar of the adjustable prosthetic valve device;
• and
• at least one opening formed adjacent the first end;
• wherein the internal cavity is adapted for accommodating portions of at least two gearbox shells therein to hold the at least two gearbox shells together;
• wherein the at least one opening is adapted to engage a projection formed on an exterior surface of at least one gearbox shell.

A gearbox for an adjustable prosthetic valve device, comprising:

• a gearbox housing comprising a first gearbox shell and a second gearbox shell adapted to at least partially interlock with one another,
• wherein the first and second gearbox shells each comprise a center portion having an opening therein, each gearbox shell having a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion, at least one of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion of each gearbox shell having a projection on an exterior surface thereof;
• a center gear arranged at least partially within the gearbox housing, the center gear comprising a gear portion and a shaft portion, the shaft portion adapted to engage an adjustment tool inserted through one of the openings in the gearbox housing;
• and
• a first driven gear and a second driven gear each arranged at least partially within the gearbox housing, the first and second driven gears each comprising a gear portion that engages the gear portion of the center gear and a shaft portion;
• wherein the shaft portion of the first driven gear extends at least partially within an opening formed by the first lateral portions of the gearbox shells and the shaft portion of the second driven gear extends at least partially within an opening formed by the second lateral portions of the gearbox shells.

An adjustment assembly for an adjustable prosthetic valve device, comprising:

• a first gearbox sleeve having a first end and a second end, and forming a cavity therein;
• a second gearbox sleeve having a first end and a second end, and forming a cavity therein;
• a gearbox housing comprising a first gearbox shell and a second gearbox shell, the first and second gearbox shells each comprising a center portion and two lateral portions extending from opposite sides of the center portion, at least one of the lateral portions of each gearbox shell having a projection on an exterior surface thereof;
• wherein a first end of each gearbox sleeve includes at least one opening adapted to engage a corresponding projection formed on one of the gearbox shells, whereby the gearbox shells are held together to form a gearbox housing;
• wherein the gearbox housing is adapted to support a gear assembly therein, the gear assembly comprising a center gear and two driven gears, each of the gears comprising a shaft portion and a gear portion;
• wherein the gear portion of the center gear engages the gear portions of each of the driven gears;
• wherein an interior surface of each lateral portion of the gearbox shells provides a bearing surface for the shaft portion of a corresponding one of the driven gears;
• and
• wherein the center portion of each gearbox shell includes an opening adapted to accommodate an end of the shaft portion of the center gear;
• wherein at least one of the first gearbox sleeve and the second gearbox sleeve is integrally molded;
• wherein the shaft portion of the center gear and the gear portion of the center gear are integrally molded with one another;
• wherein the shaft portion and the gear portion of at least one of the driven gears are integrally molded with one another;
• wherein the center gear includes a set of internal threads along at least part of a length of a bore formed therein;
• wherein the center gear includes a hole having a shape adapted to engage an adjustment mechanism of an adjustment tool.