| 摘要 |
A heart valve (1 ) is provided in which a valve member including a plurality of valve leaflets (12) secured together is secured within a stent (2). The leaflets are made of a biologic material that has a maximum thickness of 0.3 mm. Suitably treated kangaroo tissue such as that treated using the ADAPTTM technology is considered appropriate. Each leaflet preferably has an arcuate shaped side (18) for attachment to the stent. The resultant crimped stent may have a maximum diameter of about 7.5 or even 7.0 mm. Preferably, a sleeve (6) made of a porous, biocompatible material extends about the outer surface of the stent, along at least a part, and typically all of its length. Preferably, the stent is configured to initially expand at both ends (8, 9), this being conveniently achieved by using a stent in the form of a mesh defined by interconnected struts with the struts in a central region being stronger than the struts in the end regions. |
