Patent ID: 6645244
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A mechanical heart valve prosthesis comprising:an annular valve body having an interior side wall; at least one valve leaflet within the annular valve body; and a plurality of hinges, each hinge comprising: a hinge recess in the annular valve body interior side wall having a hinge recess bearing surface, the binge recess bearing surface including an inflow portion having an inflow recess bearing surface, and an outflow portion having an outflow recess bearing surface; and a leaflet ear having a leaflet ear bearing surface projecting from an edge of the at least one valve leaflet, the leaflet ear and hinge recess bearing surface being sized and shaped to flush blood from the hinge recess when the at least one valve leaflet moves; and wherein:an entrance ramp is defined in the inflow recess bearing surface to direct laminar blood flow into the hinge recess and over the inflow recess bearing surface as the leaflet ear bearing surface sweeps over the hinge recess bearing surface during movement of the valve leaflet between open and closed positions.