Patent ID: 6027530
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of tanning an animal aortic bioprosthesis which comprises a segment of mammalian aorta having i) an aortic lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, ii) an inflow end, iii) an outflow end, iv) a plurality of aortic valve leaflets disposed within the aortic lumen; v) right and left coronary Sinuses of Valsalva, vi) a noncoronary sinus which is situated radially adjacent to and between the Sinuses of Valsalva, and vii) right and left coronary artery segments having coronary artery segment lumens extending therethrough, said coronary artery segments extending outwardly from the bioprosthesis, said method comprising the steps of:(A) providing a support insert which comprises a substantially rigid tubular body having i) a bottom end, ii) a top end, iii) a hollow bore extending longitudinally therethrough, iv) right and left coronary Sinus of Valsalva support members extending upwardly at the top end of the tubular body at spaced apart locations and having generally convex outer surfaces, and v) a non-coronary Sinus of Valsalva support member extending upwardly at the top end of the tubular body and having a generally convex outer surface;(B) placing the aortic bioprosthesis upon the support insert such that i) the coronary Sinus of Valsalva support members are positioned within the right and left coronary Sinuses of Valsalva, ii) the noncoronary Sinus of Valsalva support member is positioned within the noncoronary Sinus of Valsalva, and iii) the tubular body of the support insert extends through the aortic lumen of the bioprosthesis with the bottom end of the tubular body being located adjacent the outflow end of the bioprosthesis;(C) subjecting the bioprosthesis, while positioned on the insert, to a tanning agent, to effect tanning of the bioprosthesis, and during the tanning step providing coronary artery segment lumen supports for maintaining the patency of the coronary artery segment lumens and causing said coronary artery segment lumen supports to maintain the patency of the coronary artery segment lumens;(D) removing said coronary artery segment lumen supports after the step of tanning; and,(E) removing the bioprosthesis from the support insert.