| 摘要 |
This invention relates to the electrochemical machining of integrally formed prosthetic heart valve structures in which both the structural integrity of the valve and the blood flow through the valve is improved as a result of the integral formation of the valve structure. In particular, such heart valves comprise a ring and a pendant structure, such as a strut, for supporting the opening and closing of a discoid valve occluder. Integral formation of the strut with the ring permits the cross-sectional shape of the strut to be machined without overheating and distortion to conform to a teardrop shape having favorable fluid-dynamic characteristics thereby improving the flow of blood through the valve across the strut. The integral formation of the strut with the ring further results in the elimination of the weld fillet between the strut and the ring, thereby permitting the height of the ring to be reduced, which further improves the fluid dynamic characteristics of the valve. The overall structural integrity of the heart valve structure is also improved by the shape of the strut which permits the increase in the total cross-sectional area of the strut while retaining the favorable fluid flow characteristics of the valve. Thus, this invention provides for improved structural integrity of the valve and at the same time, improved flow characteristics through the valve.
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