Patent ID: 6638303
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A heart valve prosthesis for implantation within the heart of a patient, said valve comprising:an annular body having a fluid passageway, an upstream side and a downstream side; at least one leaflet pivotally mounted in the fluid passageway of the body, said leaflet being movable between a closed position wherein said fluid passageway is substantially closed and an open position wherein said fluid passageway is not closed, said valve being characterized by a pressure transient at said upstream side immediately following movement to the closed position when implanted in a patient; a first magnet coupled to the leaflet; and a second magnet coupled to the body and configured to interact with the first biasing element to exert a force on the leaflet to move the leaflet to the closed position such that said pressure transient is less that 250 mmHg.