Patent ID: 9615919
Date: 2017-04-11
CPC Classifications: A61F,A61L,D04C,Y10T

Claim:
1. A method of manufacturing an implantable valve prosthesis comprising at least one valve leaflet and a support structure, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a material structure consisting of one woven, non-woven, knitted or braided fabric of unidirectional reinforcing elements of drawn ultra high molecular weight polyethylene extending in at least two directions, wherein the modulus of elasticity of the reinforcing elements is at least 60 GPa, and wherein the material structure is substantially free of matrix binder; (b) shaping the material structure into a form of at least a part of the valve prosthesis using a mold defining an inner shape of the valve; (c) consolidating the material structure under elevated temperature and pressure, wherein the temperature is at least 80° C. and below the temperature at which the reinforcing elements lose their high mechanical properties due to melting; and (d) fixing the support structure to the material structure to integrate at least a part of the support structure and the least one valve leaflet.