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. 28, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 01, 1999
Didier Lapeyre, Pacy sur Eure, FR;
Ulrich Steinseifer, Aachen, DE;
Abstract
An improved trileaflet mechanical heart valve can include an improved leaflet . The valve and leaflet provide improved flow characteristics, minimize blood clotting behind the leaflets, and provide more natural opening and closing times. The valve can include a valve housing which contains pivot/hinge mechanism ( , and ) for allowing rotation of and retention of the leaflets . The valve housing can also include windows or openings which allows for complete washing of the pivot/hinge mechanism ( , and ) as well as the leaflets . The novel leaflets are airfoil-like having a complex S-shaped curvature on their outer surface. This novel geometry, when combined with the location of the leaflet's pivot axis, causes a tendency for the leaflets to rotate towards the closed position. Thus, the leaflets begin to close much earlier than a conventional leaflet and are substantially closed before the flow reverses, similar to the function of a natural valve.