Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Arterial prosthesis – Stent structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-21
2001-06-12
Milano, Michael J. (Department: 2165)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Arterial prosthesis
Stent structure
C623S001240
Reexamination Certificate
active
06245102
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a star-shaped stent and replacement valve and replacement graft for use in repairing a damaged cardiac valve. In the prior art, stents are known and are employed, usually, to maintain a blood vessel or other body passageway open and free from obstruction.
Applicant is aware of the following United States Patents:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,671,979 to Moulopoulos
U.S. Pat. No. 4,056,854 to Boretos et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,749 to Davis et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,402 to Teitelbaum.
These patents relate to repairs to and replacements for cardiac valves. However, none of these references teaches the features and aspects of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a star-shaped stent and replacement valve for use in repairing a damaged cardiac valve and other vascular bodies. The present invention includes the following interrelated objects, aspects and features:
(1) In a first aspect, the inventive stent is made in a star-shape by cutting it from a flat metal sheet, preferably in the range of 25 to 50 mils in thickness. The metal sheet may be stainless steel, titanium, elgiloy or heat activatable metal such as NITINOL, nickel-titanium alloy. The star shape of the stent includes a thin outline of a star with the center open. Thus, for example, where the star has five outwardly directed points, the same star has five inwardly directed points.
(2) The inventive stent is created by interconnecting from two to eight of these star-shaped members into a “chain”.
(3) Once this “chain” has been created through interconnection of the star-shaped members in a manner to be described in greater detail hereinafter, a central opening through all of the interconnected star-shaped members receives a replacement aortic valve tri-cuspid or other vascular graft made of any suitable flexible and bio-compatible material. A catheter delivery system is used to deliver the stent with the aortic valve tri-cuspid to the desired site where it is expanded into position. The chain of stents can be sutured outside a knitted, woven or polymeric extruded tube to replace a diseased portion of an artery in various locations, including the heart.
(4) In the preferred embodiment, each star-shaped member has five points. However, if desired, any number of points from two to five may be suitably employed.
Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a star-shaped stent and replacement valve for use in repairing a damaged cardiac valve.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device including a stent made of a plurality of interconnected star-shaped members.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a device including a replacement aortic valve tri-cuspid inserted within the star-shaped members and attached thereto.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a stent-graft for percutaneous replacement in the body.
These and other objects, aspects and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3671979 (1972-06-01), Moulopoulos
patent: 4056854 (1977-11-01), Boretos et al.
patent: 4297749 (1981-11-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5332402 (1994-07-01), Teitelbaum
patent: 5815904 (1998-10-01), Clubb
patent: 5855597 (1999-01-01), Jayaraman
Iowa-India Investments Company Ltd.
Larson James E.
Larson & Larson P.A.
Milano Michael J.
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