The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 23, 2025
Filed:
May. 23, 2022
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Irvine, CA (US);
Brian S. Conklin, Orange, CA (US);
EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION, Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
Valve holders and introducers for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to an implant site are configured to facilitate insertion of prosthetic valves through small incisions or access sites on a patient's body. The valve holders can also be configured to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of suture looping or other damage to the prosthetic valve during implantation. A valve holder according to embodiments of the invention includes features that reduce or eliminate mistakes during implantation of the prosthetic valves, such as a handle that prevents implantation of the valve prior to proper deployment or adjustment of the holder. An introducer is provided which can facilitate temporary deformation of a nitinol prosthetic valve to pass between adjacent ribs of a patient without rib spreading. Valves are provided having a wireform and stiffener band made of materials that exhibit superelastic properties. Valve holders, introducers, and valves according to the various embodiments can be used in minimally invasive procedures, such as thoracotomy procedures.