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. 18, 2004
Filed:
May. 03, 2001
Salvador Marquez, Foothill Ranch, CA (US);
Claudio Argento, Santa Monica, CA (US);
Richard S. Rhee, Diamond Bar, CA (US);
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
A holder for a highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed that maintains an implant shape to the valve. The holder may have cusp and commissure contacting supports, and may be attached at all six such supports, or only three. The holder may be flexible to permit inward flexing of the heart valve during implant for greater visibility when implanting using a running suture method. The holder may be formed of flexible wires such as Nitinol, and shaped to resist excessive axial and torsional deformation of the valve. A short handle connector suitable for manual grasping may be attached and stored with the valve, with the handle connector having a coupling for receiving a longer delivery handle. A two stage holder may be utilized to accommodate different implant methods.