Patent ID: 8979924
Filing Date: 2015-03-17
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for repairing the function of a diseased valve, the apparatus comprising: an annular first support member having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal first support member ends, the distal first support member end having a plurality of eyelets defining a distal first support member circumference; an annular second support member having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal second support member ends, the proximal second support member end having a plurality of eyelets defining a proximal second support member circumference; a tubular graft section having longitudinally spaced first and second graft ends, the first graft end being a proximal graft end and the second graft end being a distal graft end, and a graft neck annulus located longitudinally between the first and second graft ends, the first and second graft ends defining first and second graft end circumferences, respectively, and the graft neck annulus defining a graft neck circumference which is smaller than both of the first and second graft end circumferences when the apparatus is in an implanted position in a patient's heart; the first graft end being directly attached to the distal first support member end with the distal first support member circumference being substantially coincident with the first graft end circumference; the second graft end being directly attached to the proximal second support member end with the proximal second support member circumference being substantially coincident with the second graft end circumference; and a prosthetic valve secured within the graft neck annulus, the prosthetic valve having at least two valve leaflets that are coaptable to permit the unidirectional flow of blood, and the prosthetic valve being longitudinally spaced from both of the first and second annular support members; wherein the tubular graft section is the only structure of the apparatus which is directly connected to both the first and second annular support members, and the prosthetic valve is directly secured only to the tubular graft section.