NATURAL TISSUE VALVE PROSTHESES HAVING VARIABLY COMPLIANT LEAFLETS AND METHODS OF THEIR MANUFACTURE

摘要

Variably compliant natural tissue valve leaflets and vascular bioprosthetics 'incorporating variably compliant leaflets are provided along with methods for their manufacture. The variably compliant leaflets are fixed with the leaflet base section under greater pressure than the leaflet tip section rendering them relatively stiff along the leaflet base section and more flexible at the leaflet tip section. The radially variable flexing characteristics of the valve leaflets promote even distribution of mechanical stress on the valve assembly during the cardiac cycle leading to improved hemodynamic performance while retarding the calcification of the leaflet tissue.