Patent ID: 6059826
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A multiple leaflet mechanical prosthetic heart valve which comprises:a tubular valve body having an interior wall surface of generally circular cross-section which defines a central passageway for blood flow therethrough with a central longitudinal axis extending therethrough in an upstream-downstream direction,at least three relatively rigid leaflets mounted within said valve body on pivot means so as to alternately pivot between an open position to permit blood flow downstream through said valve body and a closed position to prevent blood flow upstream therethrough,each of said leaflets having a pair of converging edges that meet at an inner tip which lies generally adjacent said central axis in the closed position, each said edge lying in juxtaposition with the facing edge of an adjacent said leaflet in the closed position, and a major arcuate edge which lies in juxtaposition with said generally circular cross-section interior wall of said valve body in the closed position, andsaid converging edges of each said leaflet being shaped so that the radially outer regions of each converging edge interengage with the corresponding portion of said adjacent leaflet, while at least about the radially inner one-half of said converging edge is spaced from the corresponding region of said adjacent leaflet, said inner tips of said multiple leaflets being spaced from and out of contact with one another in the closed position.