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:
May. 15, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 16, 1999
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
An infra-annular annuloplasty prosthesis is disclosed including a flexibly semi-rigid frame, a portion of which is shaped to conform to the scalloped configuration of the normal circumference of an arterial heart valve annulus. Axially projecting legs spaced circumferentially to correspond to the location of tissue adjacent to the valve commissures are provided for support and anchoring of the annulus-conforming portion to the dense fibrous tissues adjacent each commissure. The prosthesis includes a one-or two-part frame having scalloped upper and lower edges defining peaks and valleys. The upper edge is shaped to follow the contour of the tissue underneath the valve leaflets, and thus supports the leaflets and aortic wall from below. The lower edge is similarly scallop-shaped, but with less pronounced peaks and valleys than the upper edge, and is thus shaped to conform to the aortic annulus shape and provide support directly thereto.