Claims
- 1. A prosthetic valve comprising:
a radially expandable structural frame including a proximal anchor and a distal anchor, the proximal and distal anchors being formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and having a substantially cylindrical configurations with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between; one or more connecting members, the one or more connecting members having a first and a second end, the first end of each connecting member being attached to the proximal anchor and the second end of each connecting member being attached to the distal anchor; and a biocompatible membrane assembly attached to the proximal anchor and extending distally along the one or more connecting members, the biocompatible membrane assembly maintaining a substantially cylindrical shape.
- 2. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the structural frame is expandable by an expansion means.
- 3. The prosthetic valve of claim 2 wherein the expansion means is a balloon.
- 4. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the structural frame is self-expanding.
- 5. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the structural frame comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, tantalum, platinum alloys, niobium alloy, cobalt alloy, and nickel-titanium alloy.
- 6. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the structural frame comprises a polymer.
- 7. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the one or more connecting members are substantially straight members oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
- 8. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the one or more connecting members are helically shaped members oriented in a semi-spiral about the longitudinal axis.
- 9. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the one or more connecting members are biased inward toward the longitudinal axis.
- 10. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the lattice of interconnected elements comprises a plurality of longitudinally arranged strut members and a plurality of loop members connecting the adjacent strut members, each loop member having a substantially semi-circular configuration creating an inflection point with an inner and an outer radii.
- 11. The prosthetic valve of claim 10 wherein the first end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the proximal anchor at the outside radii of the inflection point, and the second end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the distal anchor at the outside radii of the inflection point.
- 12. The prosthetic valve of claim 10 wherein the first end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the proximal anchor at the inside radii of the inflection point, and the second end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the distal anchor at the inside radii of the inflection point.
- 13. The prosthetic valve of claim 10 wherein the first end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the proximal anchor at the inside radii of the inflection point, and the second end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the distal anchor at the outside radii of the inflection point.
- 14. The prosthetic valve of claim 10 wherein the first end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the proximal anchor at the outside radii of the inflection point, and the second end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the distal anchor at the inside radii of the inflection point.
- 15. The prosthetic valve of claim 10 wherein the first end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the proximal anchor at the strut, and the second end of the one or more connecting members is connected to the distal anchor at the strut.
- 16. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the biocompatible membrane assembly is formed from a flexible membrane-like material.
- 17. The prosthetic valve of claim 16 wherein the membrane-like material is a biological material.
- 18. The prosthetic valve of claim 17 wherein the biological material is a vein.
- 19. The prosthetic valve of claim 16 wherein the membrane-like material is a synthetic material.
- 20. The prosthetic valve of claim 19 wherein the synthetic material is an elastomeric polymer.
- 21. The prosthetic valve of claim 19 wherein the synthetic material is a bioabsorbable material.
- 22. The prosthetic valve of claim 19 wherein the synthetic material further comprises a reinforcement fiber.
- 23. The prosthetic valve of claim 16 wherein the membrane-like material is in the form of a tube having a first end and a second end.
- 24. The prosthetic valve of claim 22 wherein the reinforcement fiber is formed directly on the radially expandable structural frame.
- 25. The prosthetic valve of claim 23 wherein the first end of the tube comprises one or more valve flaps.
- 26. The prosthetic valve of claim 23 wherein the first end of the tube is located between the proximal and distal anchors.
- 27. The prosthetic valve of claim 23 wherein the second end of the tube is located proximal to at least one half of the proximal anchor.
- 28. The prosthetic valve of claim 23 wherein the tube comprises one or more valve cusps.
- 29. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein the biocompatible valve assembly is fixedly attached to the proximal anchor.
- 30. The prosthetic valve of claim 29 wherein the attachment results from radial pressure of the proximal anchor against the valve assembly.
- 31. The prosthetic valve of claim 29 wherein the method of attachment comprises use of a binder.
- 32. The prosthetic valve of claim 31 wherein the binder comprises a polymer.
- 33. The prosthetic valve of claim 32 wherein the binder comprises a polymer from the group consisting of elastomeric polymer, siliconized polyurethane, polyurethane, and silicone.
- 34. The prosthetic valve of claim 30 wherein the method of attachment comprises the use heat.
- 35. The prosthetic valve of claim 30 wherein the method of attachment comprises a chemical bond.
- 36. The prosthetic valve of claim 30 wherein the method of attachment comprises use of a mechanical means.
- 37. The prosthetic valve of claim 36 wherein the mechanical means includes welding.
- 38. The prosthetic valve of claim 36 wherein the mechanical means includes suturing.
- 39. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the structural frame is coated with an agent.
- 40. The prosthetic valve of claim 39 wherein the agent coating contains a therapeutic agent.
- 41. The prosthetic valve of claim 39 wherein the agent coating contains a pharmaceutic agent.
- 42. The prosthetic valve of claim 39 wherein the agent coating comprises an agent eluting layer.
- 43. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the biocompatible valve assembly is coated with an agent.
- 44. The prosthetic valve of claim 42 wherein the agent coating contains a therapeutic agent.
- 45. The prosthetic valve of claim 42 wherein the agent coating contains a pharmaceutic agent.
- 46. The prosthetic valve of claim 42 wherein the agent coating comprising an agent eluting layer.
- 47. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the biocompatible valve assembly is impregnated with a therapeutic agent.
- 48. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the biocompatible valve assembly is impregnated with a pharmaceutic agent.
- 49. A prosthetic valve comprising:
a radially expandable structural frame including a proximal anchor and a distal anchor, the proximal and distal anchors being formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and having a substantially cylindrical configurations with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between; one or more connecting members, the one or more connecting members having a first and a second end, the first end of each connecting member being attached to the proximal anchor and the second end of each connecting member being attached to the distal anchor; and a biocompatible membrane assembly attached to the proximal anchor and extending distally along the one or more connecting members.
- 50. A prosthetic valve comprising:
a radially expandable structural frame including a proximal anchor and a distal anchor, the proximal and distal anchors being formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and having a substantially cylindrical configurations with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between; one or more connecting members, the one or more connecting members having a first and a second end, the first end of each connecting member being attached to the proximal anchor and the second end of each connecting member being attached to the distal anchor; a biocompatible membrane assembly attached to the proximal anchor and extending distally along the one or more connecting members; and a limiting means integrated into the distal end of the biocompatible membrane assembly to limit sliding movement between the membrane assembly and connecting member.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/379,604, filed May 10, 2002.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60379604 |
May 2002 |
US |