US 7,566,343 B2
Cardiac valve, system, and method
Mark L. Jenson, Greenfield, Minn. (US); William J. Drasler, Minnetonka, Minn. (US); and Daniel M. Lafontaine, Plymouth, Minn. (US)
Assigned to Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc., Maple Grove, Minn. (US)
Filed on Sep. 02, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/933,088.
Prior Publication US 2006/0047338 A1, Mar. 02, 2006
Int. Cl. A61F 2/24 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 623—2.12  [623/2.38; 623/1.26] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cardiac valve, comprising:
a support frame having a first end member and a second end member separated from the first end member by a number of cross members and opposing the first end member in a substantially fixed distance relationship, the first end member and the second end member each defining a circumference defined by a sequence of convex curves and concave curves oriented generally in a plane of the circumference;
a cover extending between convex curves of the second end member to form a first valve leaflet and a second valve leaflet, wherein a portion of the first valve leaflet and the second valve leaflet join to form a reversibly sealable opening for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the cardiac valve; and
a tubular member of the cardiac valve having a predetermined length extending from and in fluid tight communication with the cover, where the tubular member includes a first end on a first side of the first and second valve leaflets and a second end on a second side of the first and second valve leaflets opposite the first side to allow for fluid communication across the valve when the first and second valve leaflets are in a closed position and where the first end and the second end of the tubular member are positionable within and stay within a patient's body after removal of a delivery catheter.