HEART VALVE SEWING CUFF

摘要

An embodiment of the invention includes a sewing cuff for aortic heart valves that better approximates native anatomy by better mating with the crown-like anatomical annulus. Limiting distortion of the crown-like annulus provides better blood flow and overall valve function and provides a physician greater ease of implantation since native anatomy is not flattened. Thus, the surgeon may attach sutures to the fibrous tissue of the crown-like anatomical annulus without distorting the shape of the native anatomy. An embodiment includes a scalloped sewing cuff assembly (with semilunar arches) that tracks the crown-like annulus. Another embodiment provides a sewing cuff positioned over the majority of the valve's length, thus allowing the surgeon greater flexibility as to where he or she can attach sutures to the surgical annulus. Conventional valves, which are primarily “low-profile” devices, do not offer such ability. Other embodiments are described herein.

主权项

1. A prosthetic heart valve comprising:
a tubular valve body having a longitudinal axis, an outlet end, an inlet end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the outer surface comprising a first sewing cuff located entirely between the inlet and outlet ends; and at least one leaflet within the tubular valve body to intermittently and reversibly seal across the valve body inner surface to allow substantially unidirectional flow through the tubular valve body from the inlet end to the outlet end; wherein the first cuff includes a first height that is uniform along an upper edge of the first cuff, a first thickness, a first outermost diameter taken orthogonal to the longitudinal axis; wherein a total valve height extends from the inlet end to the outlet end; wherein the outer surface comprises a second sewing cuff located entirely between the inlet and outlet ends; wherein the second cuff includes a second thickness, a second outermost diameter taken orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and undulations comprising an apex adjacent a nadir, the second sewing cuff including a second height extending from a top of the apex to a bottom of the nadir; wherein the second height is at least 75% of the first height; wherein the first thickness at its maximum is less than the second thickness at its maximum; wherein the first thickness extends radially, in a horizontal plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, from an inner wall of the first cuff to an outer wall of the first cuff; wherein the second thickness extends radially, in a horizontal plane, from an inner wall of the second cuff to an outer wall of the second cuff.