Patent ID: 6139575
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A mechanical heart valve prosthesis of the type comprising:a valve body having an interior side wall defining a blood flow orifice having a central blood flow axis centrally located with respect to the interior surface, the valve body further comprising at least one valve body hinge element and a valve body seat region; anda valve leaflet having at least one leaflet hinge element for cooperatively engaging with said valve body hinge element to enable movement of said valve leaflet between a leaflet open position allowing blood flow through said blood flow orifice and a leaflet closed position for blocking blood flow through said blood flow orifice, said valve leaflet having generally opposed, inflow and outflow, leaflet major surfaces bounded by a peripheral edge extending between the opposed leaflet major surfaces, said peripheral edge formed at least in part to provide a leaflet seat for engaging against said valve body seat region;said valve leaflet further comprising:a valve leaflet frame coupled with said valve leaflet hinge element and formed of a dimensionally rigid, bio-compatible, material providing dimensional rigidity to a portion of said valve leaflet and said leaflet hinge element to enable the cooperative engagement of said valve body hinge element with said valve leaflet hinge element and govern movement of said valve leaflet between said leaflet open and closed positions with respect to said blood flow orifice; anda leaflet body of an elastic, bio-compatible material extending away from said valve leaflet frame and forming at least a portion of said opposed leaflet major surfaces and said leaflet seat, said leaflet seat having a resilience and thickness that provides deformation of said leaflet seat into a contact band with said valve body seat region and absorbs contact shock when said leaflet moves into said leaflet closed position.