Patent ID: 7955375
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A prosthetic valve for implantation in a body vessel, said prosthetic valve comprising: an expandable support frame; a prosthetic valve member comprising a first material attached to the support frame and comprising a valve portion moveable between a first position to allow fluid flow through said body vessel and a second position to substantially prevent fluid flow through said body vessel; and a spacing member comprising a second material different from the first material and comprising an element distinct from the valve member and having a predetermined thickness, the spacing member disposed on and in direct contact with only the valve portion and adapted to protect at least a portion of the valve portion from contact with a wall of said body vessel as the valve portion moves between the first and second positions; wherein the first material comprises a bioremodellable material; and wherein the second material comprises a biologically inert form of the bioremodellable material.