Patent ID: 6296663
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A bileaflet heart valve prosthesis for controlling a circulation of a fluid within a heart of a patient, said bileaflet heart valve prosthesis comprising: an annular base and first and second leaflets, the respective first leaflet and second leaflet being mounted within the annular base for pivotal movement between a fully closed position and a fully open position, the annular base defining a vertical bore extending through the base; each of the respective leaflets having first and second sides, the first side being a top side and the second side being a bottom side, the bottom sides of the respective leaflets generally facing one another when the respective leaflets are in an open position; each bottom side having an upper portion and a lower portion that are separate and distinct, the upper portion having a curvilinear surface which passes through a curvilinear arc, wherein a first tangent line to the top side and a second tangent line to the upper portion of the bottom side, each lying in a single vertical cross-sectional plane lying perpendicular to the top side, lie at an angle r with respect to one another, wherein angle r is from about 2.degree. to about 8.degree., the first tangent line being generally perpendicular to the curvilinear arc of the upper portion.