Stents for autologous tissue heart valve

摘要

An improved set of stents for autologous tissue heart valves is provided. The stents are designed with the aid of a computer-aided-design (CAD) system, and nest within each other to securely clamp a piece of tissue which forms the leaflets of the heart valve. The geometrical features of the stents are designed to provide uniform nesting between the stents to prevent the formation of stress raisers on the tissue. Additionally, the windows in the stent posts are narrowed to prevent the suturing needle used during implantation of the valve from becoming lodged in the garter springs which clamp the outer stent to the inner stent. Finally, the sock covering the outer stent is bonded to the stent base at both upper and lower locations to isolate the bonds from the patient's blood flow./!