W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

William C Bruchman

Edward H Cully

Cody L Hartman

Benjamin M Trapp

Paul D Gassler

Peter J Walsh

Charles F White

Logan R Hagaman

Joshua J Lovekamp

Daniel A Crawford

Bill R Finney

Prosthetic heart valve leaflets of shapes that control bending. Prosthetic heart valves can include a leaflet frame having a generally tubular shape with attached film. The leaflet frame can define a plurality of leaflet windows with the film defining at least one leaflet extending from each of the leaflet windows. Each leaflet attachment zone on the leaflet frame may have substantially the shape of an isosceles trapezoid having two leaflet sides, a leaflet base and a leaflet free edge opposite the leaflet base. The two leaflet sides can diverge from the leaflet base, the leaflet base being substantially flat.

Prosthetic valves, frames and leaflets and methods thereof

Described embodiments are directed toward prosthetic valves and systems and methods of making prosthetic valves. In accordance with an embodiment, a prosthetic valve comprises and leaflet frame, and outer frame and a film. The leaflet frame has a generally tubular shape defining a plurality of leaflet windows. The outer frame has a generally tubular shape. The leaflet frame is coaxially disposed at least partially within the outer frame. The leaflet frame and outer frame is coupled at least in part by a contiguous portion of the film. At least a portion of the contiguous portion of the film is contained between and coupling the leaflet frame and outer frame operable to prevent relative movement and contact therebetween. The film defines a leaflet extending from each of the leaflet windows.

Multi-frame prosthetic heart valve

Described embodiments are directed toward prosthetic valves having leaflets of particular shapes that control bending character. In accordance with an embodiment, a prosthetic valve has a plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet includes a central region and two side regions on opposite sides of the central region. The central region is defined by a shape of an isosceles triangle defined by two central region sides, the leaflet base and the leaflet free edge, wherein the two central region sides converge from the leaflet base. Each of the two side regions has a shape of a triangle and each is defined by one of the central region sides, one of the leaflet sides, and the leaflet free edge.

Geometric control of bending character in prosthetic heart valve leaflets

Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening leaflet prosthetic valve devices having a leaflet frame coaxially disposed within a body frame, as well as methods of making the valve devices.

Multi-frame prosthetic valve apparatus and methods

Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening, leaflet valve devices and systems for transcatheter delivery having a two-piece valve body as well as methods of making and delivering the two-piece valve devices. A transcatheter valve includes a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The transcatheter valve can further include an everted configuration and a non-everted configuration.

Everting transcatheter valve and methods

Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening leaflet support devices having a frame and one or more support leaflets coupled to the frame forming a hinge where coupled. The described support leaflets have one or more stiffer regions that facilitate the function of a support leaflet to decrease or prevent prolapse of a native valve leaflet. Methods of making and using such valve devices are also described amongst others.

Leaflet support devices and methods of making and using the same

Described embodiments are directed toward prosthetic valves having leaflets of a particular shape that improves bending character without requiring a long length valve. In accordance with an embodiment, a prosthetic valve comprises a leaflet frame, a plurality of leaflets that are coupled to the leaflet frame, where each leaflet has a free edge and a base. The base of each leaflet is truncated in which the leaflet in cross section shows a line in an alpha plane onto the leaflet frame.

Truncated leaflet for prosthetic heart valves

Described embodiments are directed toward prosthetic valve leaflets of particular configurations that control bending character. In embodiments provided herein, valve leaflets are operable to bend along a base of the valve leaflets.

Methods for improved prosthetic heart valve with leaflet shelving

Described embodiments are directed toward prosthetic valve leaflets of a particular shape that allows redundant coaptation height in the leaflets when a planar segment is present in each leaflet.

Vertical coaptation zone in a planar portion of prosthetic heart valve leaflet

Described embodiments are directed toward prosthetic heart valve leaflets of particular shapes that control bending character. In accordance with an embodiment, a prosthetic heart valve comprises a leaflet frame having a generally tubular shape with attached film. The leaflet frame defines a plurality of leaflet windows. The film defines at least one leaflet extending from each of the leaflet windows. Each leaflet attachment zone on the leaflet frame has substantially the shape of an isosceles trapezoid having two leaflet sides, a leaflet base and a leaflet free edge opposite the leaflet base. The two leaflet sides diverge from the leaflet base, wherein the leaflet base is substantially flat.

Geometric prosthetic heart valves

A leaflet for a prosthetic valve formed of at least one layer that includes a composite material containing at least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane having serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is provided. The fluoropolymer may be polytetrafluoroethylene. In at least one embodiment, the elastic properties are present in an axial direction the leaflet. The leaflets may be single layered or multi-layered. The leaflets may be coupled to a support structure and movable between open and closed configurations relative to the support structure to form a heart valve. The elasticity within the leaflets permits, among other things, the leaflets to bend with a reduced occurrence of wrinkles as the valve opens and closes. The elastic properties of the leaflet also, among other things, improve bending properties and reduce closure stresses, thereby extending the life of the leaflet.

Growing community of inventors

Camp Verde, AZ, United States of America

William C Bruchman