Suture rings for heart valves.

摘要

© Suture rings (13) are provided for heart valves having surrounding stiffening protrusions (25) that are either integral parts of the heart valve bodies (19) or are rigid rings held in interference fit within peripheral grooves (23) of heart valve bodies (19). Metal retainer rings (33) engage the stiffening protrusions (25) to lock the retainer rings (33) to the valve bodies (19) and carry fabric coverings (31) on their exterior surfaces that are suturable to the heart tissues. Deformable portions (41, 45) of the retainer rings (33) are used to provide engagement between the retainer rings (33) and the protrusions (25) and also to permanently position bands (37a, 37b) that secure the fabric coverings (31) to the retainer rings (33).