Patent ID: 11969342
Assignee: CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER CORPORATION
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A valve replacement device, comprising:
a valve frame comprising first and second frame sections, the valve frame defining an opening for the passage of fluid, the valve frame being expandable to permit an increase in a diameter of the opening over a diameter size range of the opening;
a gap between the first and second frame sections;
at least one valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame, the at least one valve leaflet having an open configuration in which the opening is exposed, and a closed configuration in which the at least one valve leaflet at least partially covers the opening, wherein the at least one valve leaflet is configured to be moveable between the open and closed configurations over the diameter size range of the opening; and
a sleeve extending over the gap between the first and second frame sections, the sleeve serving as a barrier to impede flow of fluid through the gap, the sleeve being coupled to the valve frame, wherein the sleeve has a first expandable direction orientated to permit the increase in the diameter of the opening of the valve frame,
wherein the sleeve comprises a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion coupled to the valve frame,
wherein the first and second sleeve portions are constructed from sections of tube graft, the sections of tube graft having a longitudinal direction, and
wherein the first expandable direction of the sleeve is the longitudinal direction of the sections of tube graft.