Patent ID: 8038710
Filing Date: 2011-10-18
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An artificial valve prosthesis for regulating fluid flow through a body vessel having a wall, comprising: an outer frame expandable between a first, unexpanded configuration and a second, fully expanded configuration, the outer frame having first and second outer frame ends, defining a circumference and forming a lumen extending between the first and second outer frame ends, the outer frame having an axial length extending from the first outer frame end to the second outer frame end and a uniform outer diameter along the axial length, the outer frame including a strut extending along the circumference; a first support element having a first end attached to the outer frame at a point on the circumference and extending radially inward from the point on the circumference to a second end disposed within the lumen, the second end defining a first commissural point; a first valve leaflet supported by the outer frame and by the first support element, the first valve leaflet having a perimeter and first and second portions of the perimeter, wherein the first portion of the perimeter of the first valve leaflet is continuously attached to the strut extending along the circumference such that the first portion of the perimeter extends continually along the circumference, and wherein a second portion of the perimeter of the first valve leaflet is continuously attached to the first support element extending from the point on the circumference to the first commissural point such that the second portion of the perimeter extends continually along the first support element from the point on the circumference to the first commissural point, and wherein the first valve leaflet is deformable between a first position allowing fluid flow in the first, antegrade direction and a second position restricting fluid flow in a second, retrograde direction, wherein the first support element allows for radial movement of the first commissural point with respect to the outer frame to accommodate restriction of retrograde fluid flow when said valve prosthesis is positioned within a body vessel of a size that prevents expansion of the outer frame to the fully expanded configuration.