PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE WITH IMPROVED SUTURE RING

摘要

A heart valve with an annular body having a valve orifice through it includes an annular suture ring of fabric secured around the body. The ring includes outwardly extending first and second annular flexible flanges longitudinally spaced from each other with respect to the flow of blood through the orifice. The flanges are constructed to bear against opposite sides of an annular section of living tissue of the heart. Preferably, the ring is made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene which permits complete ingrowth of living tissue, including capillaries and neoendocardium.