Patent ID: 6821297
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An artificial valve for repairing a damaged heart valve having a plurality of cusps separating an upstream region from a downstream region, said artificial valve comprising:a flexibly resilient frame sized and shaped for insertion in a position between the upstream region and the downstream region, the frame having a plurality of peripheral anchors for anchoring the frame in the position between the upstream region and the downstream region and a central portion located along a centerline extending between the plurality of peripheral anchors and between the upstream region and the downstream region when said frame is inserted in the position between the upstream region and the downstream region; a flexible valve element attached to the central portion of the frame having an upstream side facing said upstream region when the frame is anchored in the position between the upstream region and the downstream region and a downstream side opposite the upstream side facing said downstream region when the frame is anchored in the position between the upstream region and the downstream region, said flexible valve element moving in response to a difference between fluid pressure in said upstream region and fluid pressure in said downstream region between an open position in which the flexible valve element permits downstream flow between said upstream region and said downstream region and a closed position in which the flexible valve element blocks flow reversal from said downstream region to said upstream region, wherein the flexible valve element moves to the open position when fluid pressure in said upstream region is greater than fluid pressure in said downstream region to permit downstream flow from said upstream region to said downstream region and the flexible valve element moves to the closed position when fluid pressure in said downstream region is greater than fluid pressure in said upstream region to prevent flow reversal from said downstream region to said upstream region; and an opening extending through at least one of said frame and said flexible valve element for receiving an implement.