Patent ID: 8679175
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An implantable valve prosthesis comprising: a frame having a proximal frame end and a distal frame end, the frame defining a lumen extending between the proximal frame end and the distal frame end along a longitudinal axis; and a first valve leaflet positioned within the lumen and having a distal edge attached to the frame and a proximal edge free of the frame, wherein the first valve leaflet comprises at least one material having a first slit and a second slit through the first valve leaflet, each slit of the first and second slits comprising an opening in the first valve leaflet extending proximally along the first valve leaflet from a distal slit end proximal of the distal edge of the first valve leaflet to a proximal slit end distal of and not continuous with the proximal edge of the first valve leaflet, the first and second slits cooperatively defining a free portion of the first valve leaflet between the first and second slits; wherein the first valve leaflet is movable between a first position that allows fluid flow in a first, antegrade, direction and a second position that restricts flow in a second, retrograde direction.