Patent ID: 8511244
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: A61F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of assembling a prosthetic heart valve, comprising the steps of: providing first and second sheets of material, each comprising first and second 5 opposite surfaces and positioning the first and second sheets of material relative to each other so that at least a portion of the first side of the second sheet of material is in contact with at least a portion of the second side of the first sheet of material; positioning a first sewing fixture template adjacent to the first side of the first sheet of material and positioning a second sewing fixture template adjacent to the second side of the second sheet of material, wherein the first and second sewing fixture templates each comprise a sewing pattern; positioning a top sewing fixture frame plate adjacent to the first sewing fixture template, wherein the top plate comprises a central opening through which the sewing pattern of the first sewing fixture template can be accessed; positioning a bottom sewing fixture frame plate adjacent to the second sewing fixture template, wherein the bottom plate comprises a central opening through which the sewing pattern of the second sewing fixture template can be accessed; stitching the first and second sheets of material to each other along the sewing patterns of the first and second sewing fixture templates; removing the top sewing fixture frame plate and the first sewing fixture template; inserting a lower cutting fixture middle plate between the first and second sheets of material and positioning a top cutting fixture plate adjacent to the first side of the first sheet of material, wherein the top cutting fixture plate comprises a central opening; cutting the first sheet of material through the central opening of the top cutting fixture plate; removing the first and second sheets of material and folding the material sheets along a fold line so that a top surface and a bottom surface of the assembled material are facing in opposite directions; positioning a first final sewing fixture template adjacent to the top surface of the assembled material and positioning a second final sewing fixture template adjacent to the bottom surface of the assembled material, wherein the first and second final sewing fixture templates each comprise a pattern line; positioning a first final seam sewing fixture adjacent to the first final sewing fixture template and positioning a second final sewing seam fixture adjacent to the second final sewing fixture template; and stitching the assembled material along the pattern line of the first and second final sewing fixture templates.