Patent ID: 8870952
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: A61F,F16K

Abstract:
1. An expandable implant comprising: an implant shell having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an opening extending from the outer surface to the inner surface; a valve assembly closing said opening in said implant shell, said valve assembly comprising a first elastic patch, a second elastic patch juxtaposed with said first elastic patch, wherein a major face of said first elastic patch opposes a major face of said second elastic patch, and wherein the opposing major faces have a bonded area in which the opposing major faces are joined together and an unbonded area in which the opposing major faces are free to move away from one another, a plug disposed between the opposing major faces of said first and second elastic patches, a first opening extending through said first elastic patch and being in communication with said unbonded area, a second opening extending through said second elastic patch and being in communication with said unbonded area, wherein said second opening is offset from said first opening, said unbonded area defining an elongated channel extending between said first and second openings of said first and second elastic patches, said elongated channel having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said plug is located between the distal end of said elongated channel and said second opening of said second elastic patch, and wherein said plug is spaced from the proximal end of said elongated channel and said first opening of said first elastic patch.