Aortech International Plc

Other

University of Glasgow

Aortech Europe Limited

David John Wheatley

John Fisher

William Stafford Haworth

Bernard O'Connor

Gillian Maureen Bernacca

David Williams

An artificial heart valve comprises a support structure defining an aperture for blood flow and a flexible leaflet connected to the support structure along first and second at least partially straight lines of attachment, wherein the leaflet is movable relative to the support structure between an open configuration in which the leaflet permits blood flow through the aperture and a closed configuration in which the leaflet restricts blood flow through the aperture. A lateral cross-section taken through the leaflet defines an outwardly convex portion, an outwardly concave portion and a junction between the convex and concave portions. The heart valve may be configured for implantation in a human or animal subject. A method of manufacturing a heart valve and a former for use in such a method are also disclosed.

Heart valve

A cardiac valve prosthesis having a frame and two or more leaflets (preferably three) attached to the frame. The leaflets are attached to the frame between posts, with a free edge which can seal the leaflets together when the valve is closed under back pressure. The leaflets are created in a mathematically defined shape allowing good wash-out of the whole leaflet orifice, including the area close to the frame posts, thereby relieving the problem of thrombus deposition under clinical implant conditions.

Heart valve prosthesis and method of manufacture

The invention provides a prosthetic valve having a generally annular frame with three post and three scallops. The frame is tri-symmetric with an axis of symmetry defined by the axis of blood flow through the valve. The external surface of the frame is generally cylindrical with diameter D. Each leaflet has a truncated spherical surface adjacent to its free edge. The spherical surface is joined tangentially to a truncated conical surface. The half angle of the truncated cone is approximately 37.5&deg;. The radius of the sphere is approximately D/2&minus;0.5 (mm). The leaflet surface is axi-symmetrical with the axis of symmetry being perpendicular to the axis of the valve frame and blood flow.

Heart valve prosthesis

A heart valve prosthesis comprising an annular support frame for a plurality of flexible tissue valve components. The support frame has a plurality of spaced posts defining openings therebetween to permit a portion of each valve element to flex from an open position to a closed position. An annular sleeve, concentric with said support frame, is adapted to clamp a non-flexing portion of each valve element in operative position between the support frame and said sleeve.

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Glasgow, United Kingdom

David John Wheatley