Patent ID: 8673020
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: A61F,C08L

Abstract:
1. A medical device for placement in a gastrointestinal tract, the medical device comprising: a valve member comprising a biomimetic viscoelastic polymeric foam material, the valve member having a proximal outer support region with a rim; at least four valve leaflets; a main body region extending between the rim and the valve leaflets, the main body region having a generally concave outer face and a generally convex inner face, the valve member having a normally closed configuration in which the leaflets are engaged at a region of co-aption of the valve leaflets and an antegrade open configuration; the valve having a retrograde open configuration in response to a retrograde force, the valve leaflets and at least a portion of the main body region of the valve configured to invert to allow flow in the retrograde direction and, on reduction in retrograde forces, the main body region and the valve leaflets configured to automatically revert to the normally closed configuration under an inherent biasing of the viscoelastic polymeric foam material; the main body region of the valve member having a first thickness, the valve leaflets at the region of co-aption having a second thickness which is greater than the first thickness to define a reinforced region which extends in a longitudinal direction; and a support member which is configured to engage with a wall of the gastrointestinal tract, the rim of the valve being mounted to the support member.