Patent GB-1127325-A (GB)
Title: Improved instrument for inserting artificial heart valves
IPC: A61B17/28
Filed: 1965-08-23
Abstract: 1,127,325. Accessory for a prosthetic heart valve. H. BERRY. 19 Aug., 1966 [23 Aug., 1965], No. 36048/65. Heading A5R. Intended for use in the suture implantation of a cardiac valve prothesis, a surgical instrument comprises a shank at one end of which are mounted jaws for gripping the prosthesis, a suture retaining device being mounted on the shank to be slidable along the shank to a position to encompass the jaws. The instrument preferably is adapted for holding a cardiac valve prosthesis having a ring, the jaws being pivotable generally radially relative to each other and means being provided for spreading the jaws radially outwardly to grip the prosthesis from within its ring. As illustrated in Figure 1, at one end of shank 1 is an anchor element 4 to which four elongated jaws 2 are pivotally mounted by pins 2a. Each jaw has an outwardly directed hook 5 at the end thereof remote from the shank and preferably is bowed outwardly between its ends. Each jaw passes slidably through an aperture 6 in a spacer disc 7 comprising notched member 8 and retaining band 9. A rod 3, which is slidable longitudinally through the shank, is attached to the spacer disc whereby longitudinal movement of the rod and spacer disc relative to the shank in one or the opposite direction causes the jaws respectively to spread outwardly or to close together; this spreading or closing of the jaws preferably is controllable at the end of the shank remote from the jaws, for example by means of knob 10 which has a metal outer part journalled on the rod and an inner part of self lubricating material, for example polyfluorotetraethylene. threaded on the shank whereby rotation of the knob causes longitudinal movement of the rod relative to the shank. Mounted on the shank is a suture retaining device 20 comprising a collar 21 which has a metal outer member 22 and an inner member 23 of self-lubricating material, for example polytetrafluoroethylene. The collar, which may further comprise nut 24 acting as a collet for temporarily fixing the device to the shank, is slidably and non-rotatably mounted on the shank by screw 25 which cooperates with a flattened side 13 of the shank. Arms 26 extend longitudinally of the shank from the collar to a rigid ring 27; secured between this ring and a second rigid ring 28 by screws 28a is a suture ring 29 which preferably which is piercable by suture needles. The suture is made of a material, for example rubber, ring preferably has an outside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the rigid rings: the inside diameter of the suture ring and of the rigid rings preferably is sufficient for the rings to encompass and clear the jaws at least when the jaws are closed, the arms being of sufficient length for the suture ring to extend beyond the hook at the end of each jaw when the suture retaining device is moved to that end of the shank at which the jaws are located The instrument, which is made entirely from non-corrosive and non-toxic materials, is designed to handle either an aortic valve prosthesis, ses Figure 4 (not shown), or an atrioventricular valve prosthesis, see Figure 5 (not shown), which incorporates a sewing ring; the prosthesis may be in the form of a caged ball valve (as illustrated), a flap valve or a discoid valve.