Medtronic, Inc.

Tara S Kupumbati

Janice Lynn Shay

Carolyn C Majkrzak

Billie J Millwee

Melissa R Young

Carol Elsa Eberhardt

Arin N Holecek

Thao M Nguyen

Cynthia H Chiu

A multi-leaflet valve, which includes at least two leaflets, an outer tube, and a seam protector for each seam. Each seam protector is positioned to be in contact with a portion of the outer tube, with tube portions and leaflet ends being positioned between adjacent seam protection pieces. The seam protectors provide a lower stress surface about which the leaflets can bend or flex during their opening and closing. The seam protectors may include an enlarged end portion with an extending straight surface, an inverted U-shaped structure, or a sinusoidal-shaped structure, for example. The valve can further be provided with a seam cover or protector that is stitched onto the seam allowance of the layers of one or more of the seams. The seams can be provided with one or more inserts to fill spaces between adjacent tissue layers and create tension in certain material sheets.

Tissue attachment devices and methods for prosthetic heart valves

A method of forming a leaflet of a prosthetic valve includes placing a first piece of material on a working surface. A leaflet mold is placed on the first piece of material, and provides a outer peripheral shape comprising a curved portion. A second piece of material is placed over the first piece and the leaflet mold. The first and second pieces of material are stitched to one another along at least a portion of the curved portion of the leaflet mold. The leaflet mold is removed from first and second pieces of material.

Prosthetic heart valve, prosthetic heart valve assembly and method for making same

A mold assembly for forming a prosthetic valve having at least one leaflet, which includes a first plate having a first side from which at least one leaflet mold extends and a planar portion adjacent the at least one leaflet mold, wherein the planar portion has multiple access holes through its thickness, and a second plate having at least one mold opening and a planar portion adjacent the at least one mold opening, wherein each mold opening is sized and shaped to correspond with one of the leaflet molds of the first plate, and wherein the planar portion has multiple access holes through its thickness. The second plate is positionable relative to the first plate so that each of the leaflet molds of the first plate extend at least partially through one of the mold openings of the second plate.

Growing community of inventors

Irvine, CA, United States of America

Tara S Kupumbati