Prosthetic heart valve

Abstract

To provide a prosthetic heart valve which includes a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame having a plurality of struts defining openings.SOLUTION: The prosthetic heart valve can further include a plurality of leaflets that regulate the flow of blood through the frame. The prosthetic heart valve can also include a sealing member mounted on the frame and having an inner layer and an outer layer. At least the outer layer is mounted on the outside of the frame, and the inner layer covers at least the openings in the frame between adjacent cusp portions of adjacent leaflets and does not cover one or more openings in the frame at locations facing the outflow surfaces of the leaflets to thereby permit retrograde blood to flow through the one or more uncovered openings in the frame into space between the outer layer and the frame.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 63

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to embodiments of a prosthetic heart valve. [Background technology]

[0002] The human heart can be affected by a variety of valvular diseases that can result in significant dysfunction of the heart and ultimately require replacement of the natural valve with a prosthetic valve. There are a number of known prosthetic valves and a number of known methods for implanting these prosthetic valves in humans.

[0003] A variety of surgical techniques are available to replace or repair valvular or damaged valves. A large number of patients with stenosis and other valvular heart diseases undergo surgery each year to replace their defective natural heart valves with prosthetic valves. Another, less invasive method to treat defective valves is by repair or reconstruction, which is typically utilized for valves with minimally advanced calcification. The problem with surgical therapy is that it poses a significant risk to these chronically ill patients with the high morbidity and mortality associated with surgical repair.

[0004] When a native valve is replaced, surgical implantation of a prosthetic valve typically requires open-chest surgery during which the heart is stopped and the patient is placed under cardiac bypass (so-called "cardiopulmonary bypass"). In one common surgical procedure, the native valve leaflets with valvular disease are removed and the prosthetic valve is sutured to the surrounding tissue at the annulus. Due to the trauma associated with the procedure and the associated duration of extracorporeal blood circulation, some patients do not survive the surgical procedure and die, or die shortly thereafter. As is well known, the risks to the patient increase with the amount of time spent under extracorporeal circulation. Due to these risks, a significant number of patients with native valves with valvular disease are deemed inoperable because they are too frail to withstand the procedure. By some estimates, more than 50% of patients over 80 years of age with valvular stenosis are unable to undergo surgery to replace the valve.

[0005] Due to the drawbacks associated with traditional open-chest surgery, percutaneous and minimally invasive surgical approaches have attracted a great deal of attention.In one technique, prosthetic valves are configured to be implanted in a much less invasive procedure by catheterization.For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,411,522 and U.S. Patent No. 6,730,118 describe compressible transcatheter heart valves that can be percutaneously introduced into a catheter in a compressed state and expanded at a desired location by balloon inflation or by using a self-expanding frame or stent.

[0006] An important design parameter of a transcatheter heart valve is the diameter of the folded or crimped profile. The diameter of the crimped profile is important because it directly impacts how far the physician can advance the transcatheter heart valve through the femoral artery or vein. More specifically, a smaller profile allows for the treatment of a wider patient population with enhanced safety. Another important design parameter is the control of paravalvular regurgitation around the valve, which may occur over a period of time after initial implantation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 5,411,522 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 6,730,118 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0239142 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 513,348 [Patent Document 5] US Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0065415 [Patent Document 6] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0343670 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one exemplary embodiment, a prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame having an inflow end and an outflow end, radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration, the annular frame including a plurality of struts defining openings. The prosthetic heart valve may further include a valve structure including a plurality of leaflets mounted within the frame to regulate blood flow through the frame, each leaflet including an inflow surface, an outflow surface, and a leaflet edge portion secured to the frame. The prosthetic heart valve may also include a sealing member mounted on the frame, the sealing member including an inner layer and an outer layer. At least the outer layer is mounted on an exterior of the frame, the inner layer covering the openings in the frame at least between adjacent leaflet portions of adjacent leaflets, the inner layer not covering one or more openings in the frame facing the outflow surfaces of the leaflets, thereby allowing retrograde blood to flow into a space between the outer layer and the frame through the one or more uncovered openings in the frame.

[0009] In some embodiments, the leaflet edge portions of the leaflets have a curved sector shape, and the inner layer of the sealing member comprises a plurality of triangular shaped portions mounted on the frame at locations between adjacent leaflet edge portions of adjacent leaflets.

[0010] In some embodiments, the inner layer does not cover any openings in the frame facing the outflow surfaces of the leaflets.

[0011] In some embodiments, the inner layer is attached onto the outer surface of the frame.

[0012] In some embodiments, the inner layer is attached onto an inner surface of the frame.

[0013] In some embodiments, the outer layer is shape-set to extend radially away from the frame when the frame is in the radially expanded configuration.

[0014] In some embodiments, the outer layer comprises shape-set fibers.

[0015] In some embodiments, the outer layer comprises a lower tapered wall section extending outwardly from the frame in a direction from the inlet end to the outlet end, an upper tapered wall section extending outwardly from the frame in a direction from the outlet end to the inlet end, and a central wall section extending between the lower and upper tapered wall sections.

[0016] In some embodiments, the leaflet edge portion of each leaflet is secured to the frame by a connecting skirt that is connected to and disposed between the frame and the leaflet edge portion of the leaflet, and each connecting skirt is sutured to a strut of the frame that extends diagonally from the inlet end to the outlet end of the frame.

[0017] In some embodiments, each link skirt comprises two layers of material that are sutured to the leaflet edge portions of the leaflets and to the struts of the frame.

[0018] In some embodiments, each leaflet includes opposing upper tabs located on either side of the leaflet and opposing lower tabs located on either side of the leaflet below the upper tabs, each upper tab pairs with an adjacent upper tab of an adjacent leaflet to form a plurality of commissures, and each lower tab is folded to form at least one layer of folds along a leaflet edge portion of each leaflet.

[0019] In some embodiments, each leaflet is not attached to the frame at a location between the upper and lower tabs.

[0020] In some embodiments, each leaflet is formed with a gap between an upper and lower tab on each side of the leaflet.

[0021] In some embodiments, at least one reinforcing cord extends along a leaflet edge portion of each leaflet and beneath each commissure.

[0022] In another representative embodiment, a prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame with an inflow end and an outflow end, radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. The prosthetic heart valve may also include a valve structure including a plurality of leaflets mounted within the frame to regulate blood flow through the frame. Each leaflet includes opposing upper tabs on either side of the leaflet, opposing lower tabs on either side of the leaflet below the upper tabs, and a leaflet edge portion extending between the lower tabs, the leaflet edge portions fixed relative to the frame, each upper tab mates with an adjacent upper tab of an adjacent leaflet to form a plurality of commissures fixed relative to the frame, and each lower tab folds to form at least one layer of folds along the leaflet edge portion of each leaflet.

[0023] In some embodiments, the opposing side edges of the leaflet between the upper and lower tabs are not attached to the frame.

[0024] In some embodiments, the opposing side edges of the leaflets are formed with a gap between the upper and lower tabs when the side edges are not attached to the frame.

[0025] In some embodiments, the prosthetic heart valve can include a sealing member mounted on a frame and comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, where at least the outer layer is mounted on the exterior of the frame, the inner layer covering openings in the frame at least between adjacent leaflet edge portions of adjacent leaflets, the inner layer having an uncovered area facing the outflow surfaces of the leaflets to allow retrograde blood to flow through the openings in the frame into the space between the outer layer and the frame.

[0026] In some embodiments, a reinforcing cord extends along and is secured to the leaflet edge portion of each leaflet and at least one folded layer of each lower tab.

[0027] In another representative embodiment, a prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame with an inflow end and an outflow end, radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. Additionally, the prosthetic heart valve may include a valve structure including a plurality of leaflets mounted within the frame to regulate blood flow through the frame. Each leaflet may include opposing tabs located on either side of the leaflet and a leaflet edge portion between the tabs, the leaflet edge portion fixed to the frame, each tab pairing with an adjacent tab of an adjacent leaflet to form a plurality of commissures fixed to the frame, and each leaflet has opposing edges between the tabs and the leaflet edge portion that are not attached to the frame, thereby allowing blood to flow between the frame and the unattached edges.

[0028] In some embodiments, the non-attached edges are spaced radially inward of the frame.

[0029] In some embodiments, the tabs of each leaflet include an upper tab that mates with an adjacent upper tab of an adjacent leaflet to form a commissure, and each leaflet further includes opposing lower tabs on either side of the leaflet below the upper tab, the lower tabs spaced from the upper tabs by a non-attached edge, and the lower tabs folded against the leaflet edge portion of the leaflet.

[0030] In some embodiments, a reinforcing cord extends along and is secured to a leaflet edge portion of each leaflet and traverses the space below each commissure.

[0031] In some embodiments, each unattached edge of the leaflet can coapt with the adjacent unattached edge of an adjacent leaflet under retrograde blood flow and can separate from the adjacent unattached edge under antegrade blood flow.

[0032] In another representative embodiment, a prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame with an inflow end and an outflow end, radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. The prosthetic heart valve may further include a valve structure with a plurality of leaflets mounted within the frame and regulating blood flow through the frame, each leaflet including opposing tabs on either side of the leaflet and a leaflet edge portion between the tabs, each tab pairing with an adjacent tab of an adjacent leaflet to form a plurality of commissures connected to the frame. The leaflet edge portion of each leaflet may be connected to the frame by a connecting skirt connected to and disposed between the frame and the leaflet edge portion of the leaflet, each connecting skirt being sutured to a strut of the frame extending diagonally from the inlet end to the outlet end of the frame.

[0033] In some embodiments, a leaflet edge portion of each leaflet is folded toward the outlet end of the frame.

[0034] In some embodiments, each link skirt is sutured to a leaflet edge portion of the leaflet and to the frame.

[0035] In some embodiments, reinforcing cords are secured to each leaflet edge portion on opposite sides of each connecting skirt to define a bending axis for each leaflet.

[0036] In some embodiments, each interlocking skirt prevents a leaflet edge portion of each leaflet from contacting an inner surface of the frame.

[0037] In some embodiments, the leaflet edge portions are not supported by any metal components within the frame.

[0038] In some embodiments, each link skirt comprises two layers of material that are sutured to the leaflet edge portions of the leaflets and to the frame.

[0039] In some embodiments, each connecting skirt supports a leaflet edge portion of the leaflet at a location spaced radially inward from the inner surface of the frame.

[0040] In another representative embodiment, a prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame with an inflow end and an outflow end, radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration, the frame including a plurality of struts defining openings. The prosthetic heart valve includes a valve structure including a plurality of leaflets mounted within the frame and regulating blood flow through the frame, each leaflet including an inflow surface, an outflow surface, opposing upper tabs on either side of the leaflet, opposing lower tabs on either side of the leaflet below the upper tabs, and a leaflet edge portion extending between the lower tabs. Each upper tab pairs with an adjacent upper tab of an adjacent leaflet to form a plurality of commissures fixed relative to the frame, and each lower tab may be folded to form at least one layer of folds along the leaflet edge portion of each leaflet. The leaflet edge portion of each leaflet can be connected to the frame by a connecting skirt connected to and disposed between the frame and the leaflet edge portion of the leaflet, each connecting skirt being sutured to a strut of the frame extending diagonally from the inlet end to the outlet end of the frame. Each leaflet can have opposing edges that are not attached to the frame between the upper and lower tabs, the unattached edges being spaced radially inward of the frame to allow blood to flow between the frame and the unattached edges. The prosthetic heart valve can also include a sealing member mounted on the frame and comprising an inner layer and an outer layer. At least the outer layer is mounted on the exterior of the frame, the inner layer covering openings in the frame at least between adjacent leaflet portions of adjacent leaflets, and the inner layer not covering one or more openings in the frame at a location facing the outflow surface of the leaflet, thereby allowing retrograde blood to flow into the space between the outer layer and the frame through the one or more uncovered openings in the frame. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prosthetic heart valve according to one embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prosthetic heart valve according to one embodiment. [Figure 1C] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the lower region of one of the commissures of the prosthetic heart valve of FIGS. 1A and 1B. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a sealing member of the prosthetic heart valve of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the sealing member of FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the prosthetic heart valve of FIG. 1 showing retrograde blood flow through the valve. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the interior of the prosthetic heart valve of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 4A-4C show fibrous strips that can be used to form a sealing member such as the sealing member of FIG. 3. [Figure 7A] 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary tubular body that may be used to form a sealing member for a prosthetic heart valve. FIG. [Figure 7B] 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary tubular body that may be used to form a sealing member for a prosthetic heart valve. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partially assembled prosthetic heart valve illustrating leaflet attachment using an interlocking skirt according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the leaflets and connecting skirt used in the prosthetic heart valve of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the attachment of the connecting skirt and leaflets of FIG. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the attachment of the connecting skirt and leaflets of FIG. [Figure 11A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the attachment of the connecting skirt and leaflets of FIG. [Figure 11B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the attachment of the connecting skirt and leaflets of FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing the connection of the connecting skirt of FIG. 9 to the frame of the prosthetic valve of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 12A] 10 is a diagram showing the connection of the connecting skirt of FIG. 9 to the frame of the prosthetic valve of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 12B] 10 is a diagram showing the connection of the connecting skirt of FIG. 9 to the frame of the prosthetic valve of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 13A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame of a prosthetic heart valve and leaflets mounted within the frame, according to one embodiment. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13B is an enlarged view of a portion of the frame and one of the valve leaflets of FIG. 13A. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a valve leaflet that may be used in a prosthetic heart valve according to one embodiment. [Figure 15A] 13A-13C show one method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using an connecting skirt. [Figure 15B] 13A-13C show one method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using an connecting skirt. [Figure 15C] 13A-13C show one method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using an connecting skirt. [Figure 15D] 13A-13C show one method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using an connecting skirt. [Figure 16] 13A-13C show one method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using an connecting skirt. [Figure 17] 13A-13C show one method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using an connecting skirt. [Figure 18] 13A-13C show one method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using an connecting skirt. [Figure 19] 13A-13C show one method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using an connecting skirt. [Figure 20]13A-13C show one method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using an connecting skirt. [Figure 21] 13A-13C show one method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using an connecting skirt. [Figure 22] 13A-13C show one method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using an connecting skirt. [Figure 23] 13A-13C show one method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using an connecting skirt. [Figure 24] 13A-13C are enlarged perspective views of the interior of the prosthetic heart valve illustrating alternative methods of connecting leaflet edge portions of the leaflets to the frame of the valve. [Figure 25A] 13A-13C show an alternative method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using a connecting skirt. [Figure 25B] 13A-13C show an alternative method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using a connecting skirt. [Figure 26] 13A-13C show an alternative method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using a connecting skirt. [Figure 27] 13A-13C show an alternative method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using a connecting skirt. [Figure 28] 13A-13C show an alternative method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using a connecting skirt. [Figure 29] 13A-13C show an alternative method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using a connecting skirt. [Diagram 30] 13A-13C show an alternative method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using a connecting skirt. [Diagram 31]13A-13C show an alternative method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using a connecting skirt. [Diagram 32] 13A-13C show an alternative method of connecting leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve without using a connecting skirt. [Diagram 33] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a valve leaflet that may be used in a prosthetic heart valve according to one embodiment. [Diagram 34] 34 illustrates the formation of one half of a commissure using the leaflets of FIG. 33 according to one embodiment. [Diagram 35] 34 illustrates the formation of one half of a commissure using the leaflets of FIG. 33 according to one embodiment. [Diagram 36] 34 illustrates the formation of one half of a commissure using the leaflets of FIG. 33 according to one embodiment. [Figure 37] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a commissure formed from two leaflets of the type shown in FIG. 33 according to one embodiment. [Figure 38] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a commissure formed from two leaflets of the type shown in FIG. 33 according to another embodiment. [Figure 39] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a valve leaflet that may be used in a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Diagram 40] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a valve leaflet that may be used in a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Diagram 41] 41 illustrates the formation of a commissure from two leaflets of the type shown in FIG. 40 according to one embodiment. [Diagram 42] 41 illustrates the formation of a commissure from two leaflets of the type shown in FIG. 40 according to one embodiment. [Diagram 43] 41 illustrates the formation of a commissure from two leaflets of the type shown in FIG. 40 according to one embodiment. [Diagram 44] 41 illustrates the formation of a commissure from two leaflets of the type shown in FIG. 40 according to one embodiment. [Diagram 45] 41 illustrates the formation of a commissure from two leaflets of the type shown in FIG. 40 according to one embodiment. [Figure 46]FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of a commissure formed from two leaflets of the type shown in FIG. 40 according to one embodiment. [Figure 47] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a commissure formed from two leaflets of the type shown in FIG. 33 according to another embodiment. [Figure 48] FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of a commissure formed from two leaflets of the type shown in FIG. 40 according to another embodiment. [Figure 49] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a valve leaflet that may be used in a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Figure 50] FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a commissure formed from two leaflets of the type shown in FIG. [Figure 51] FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a commissure formed from two leaflets of the type shown in FIG. [Figure 52] 52 shows the attachment of the commissures of FIG. 50 or 51 to the frame of a prosthetic heart valve using a commissure attachment member. [Figure 53] 52 shows the attachment of the commissures of FIG. 50 or 51 to the frame of a prosthetic heart valve using a commissure attachment member. [Figure 54] 52 shows the attachment of the commissures of FIG. 50 or 51 to the frame of a prosthetic heart valve using a commissure attachment member. [Figure 55] 52 shows the attachment of the commissures of FIG. 50 or 51 to the frame of a prosthetic heart valve using a commissure attachment member. [Figure 56] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a commissure formed from two leaflets of the type shown in FIG. [Figure 57] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Figure 58] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Figure 59] FIG. 59 is a plan view of the sealing member of the prosthetic heart valve of FIGS. 57-58, shown in a flattened configuration. [Figure 60] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Figure 61] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Figure 62] FIG. 62 shows the sealing member of the prosthetic heart valve of FIGS. 60-61 mounted on the frame of the valve. [Figure 63] FIG. 62 shows the sealing member of the prosthetic heart valve of FIGS. 60-61 mounted on the frame of the valve. [Figure 64] FIG. 62 shows the sealing member of the prosthetic heart valve of FIGS. 60-61 mounted on the frame of the valve. [Figure 65] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Figure 66] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Figure 67] FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a portion of the artificial heart valve of FIGS. 65-66. [Figure 68] FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a sealing member of the artificial heart valve of FIGS. 65-66. [Figure 69] 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating attachment of leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a connecting skirt according to another embodiment. [Figure 70] FIG. 13 is a plan view of one embodiment of an interlocking skirt for interlocking leaflet edge portions of a leaflet to a frame, shown in a flattened configuration. [Figure 71] FIG. 67 is a side elevational view of the frame of the prosthetic heart valve of FIGS. 65-66. [Figure 72] 72 illustrates the installation of a valve assembly within the frame of FIG. 71 according to one embodiment. [Figure 73] FIG. 73 is an enlarged view of a portion of the frame and valve assembly of FIG. 72. [Figure 74] FIG. 67 is a perspective view of the valve leaflets of the artificial heart valve of FIGS. 65-66. [Fig. 75A] FIG. 75 is a plan view of the leaflets of FIG. 74 shown in a flattened configuration. [Fig. 75B] 75 is a plan view of the leaflet of FIG. 74 and the linking skirt of FIG. 70 positioned along the leaflet edge portion of the leaflet. [Figure 76] FIG. 13 is a top view of one embodiment of a commissure mounting member shown in a flattened configuration. [Figure 77]FIG. 67 is a perspective view of one of the commissures of the prosthetic heart valve of FIGS. 65-66. [Figure 78] FIG. 67 is a cross-sectional view of one of the commissures of the prosthetic heart valve of FIGS. 65-66. [Figure 79] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Figure 80] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Figure 81] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Figure 82] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Figure 83] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Figure 84] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prosthetic heart valve according to another embodiment. [Figure 85] FIG. 85 is a side view of one of the commissures of the artificial valve of FIGS. 83-84. [Figure 86] FIG. 85 is a plan view of one of the commissures of the artificial valve of FIGS. 83-84. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] The present disclosure relates to embodiments of implantable prosthetic devices, particularly implantable artificial valves, and methods for making such devices. In certain embodiments, the prosthetic device comprises an artificial heart valve and can be configured to be implanted in any of the native heart valves (aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid). Furthermore, the artificial heart valve can be, for example, a transcatheter heart valve, a surgical heart valve, or a minimally invasive heart valve. The artificial valve can also comprise other types of valves that can be implanted in other body cavities outside the heart, or heart valves that can be implanted in the heart at locations other than the native valves, such as transatrial or transventricular septal valves.

[0043] The disclosed prosthetic heart valve is particularly suitable for implantation within a native aortic valve. In the context of prosthetic aortic valves, the terms "lower" and "upper" are used interchangeably with the terms "inflow" and "outflow", respectively, for convenience. Thus, for example, in the orientation shown in the drawings, the lower end of the prosthetic valve is the inflow end of the prosthetic valve, and the upper end of the prosthetic valve is the outflow end of the prosthetic valve. However, it should be understood that the prosthetic valve can be implanted in the opposite orientation. For example, in the case of implantation in the mitral valve position, the upper end of the prosthetic valve is the inflow end and the lower end of the valve is the outflow end.

[0044] FIG 1A is a perspective view of a prosthetic heart valve 10 according to one embodiment. The valve shown is configured to be implanted in the native aortic annulus, but in other embodiments may be configured to be implanted in other native annulus of the heart. The valve 10 may have three main components: a stent or frame 12, a valve structure 14, and a sealing member 16. FIG 1B is a perspective view of the prosthetic valve 10 with components shown in phantom for illustrative purposes on the exterior of the frame 12, including the sealing member 16.

[0045] The valve structure 14 may include three leaflets 20 collectively forming a leaflet structure that may be configured to collapse in a tricuspid configuration, although in other embodiments there may be more or fewer leaflets (e.g., one or more leaflets 20). Desirably, the lower edge of the leaflet structure 14 has a wavy curved fan shape. Forming the leaflets in this fan shape reduces stress on the leaflets, which further improves the durability of the valve. Additionally, the fan shape allows for the elimination or at least minimization of folds and waves in the abdomen (central region of each leaflet) of each leaflet that may cause premature calcification in these regions. The fan shape also reduces the amount of tissue material used to form the leaflet structure, thereby providing a smaller, more uniform crimped profile at the inflow end of the valve. The leaflets 20 may be formed from pericardial tissue (e.g., bovine or porcine pericardial tissue), a biocompatible synthetic material, or a variety of other suitable natural or synthetic materials as known in the art and as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,730,118.

[0046] As described further below, each leaflet 20 may be coupled to the frame 12 along its inflow edge 30 (also referred to as the lower edge, or "leaflet edge," in the drawings) and at a commissure 32 of the valve structure 14 where adjacent portions of the two leaflets are interconnected.

[0047] Frame 12 may be made from any of a variety of suitable plastically expandable materials (such as stainless steel) or self-expanding materials (such as Nitinol) as are known in the art. If constructed from a plastically expandable material, frame 12 (and thus prosthetic valve 10) may be crimped into a radially compressed state onto a delivery catheter and then expanded inside the patient by an inflatable balloon or any suitable expansion mechanism. If constructed from a self-expanding material, frame 12 (and thus prosthetic valve 10) may be crimped into a radially compressed state and held in the compressed state by insertion into a sheath or equivalent mechanism of the delivery catheter. Once in place within the body, the prosthetic valve may be advanced out of the delivery sheath, which allows the valve to expand to a functional size.

[0048] Suitable plastically expandable materials that may be used to form the frame 12 include, but are not limited to, stainless steel, nickel-based alloys (e.g., cobalt-chromium alloys or nickel-cobalt-chromium alloys), polymers, or combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the frame 12 is made from a nickel-cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy, such as MP35N™ (a trademark of SPS Technologies), which is equivalent to UNS R30035 (covered by ASTM F562-02). MP35N™ / UNS R30035 includes 35% nickel, 35% cobalt, 20% chromium, and 10% molybdenum by weight. It has been found that using MP35N to form the frame 12 provides superior structural results over stainless steel. In particular, when MP35N is used as the frame material, less material is required to achieve the same or better performance in radial crush force resistance, fatigue resistance, and corrosion resistance. Additionally, because less material is required, the crimped profile of the frame can be reduced, thereby providing a lower profile valve assembly for percutaneous delivery to a treatment location within the body.

[0049] The frame 12 in the illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of circumferentially extending rows of angled struts 22 that define rows of frame cells or openings 24. The frame 12 may have a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape having a constant diameter from the inflow end 26 to the outflow end 28 of the frame as shown, or the frame may vary in diameter along the height of the frame as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0239142.

[0050] The sealing member 16 in the illustrated embodiment is attached on the exterior of the frame 12 and functions to form a seal against surrounding tissue (e.g., the native valve leaflets and / or the native annulus) to prevent or at least minimize paravalvular reflux. The sealing member 16 may include an inner layer 34 (which may be in contact with the outer surface of the frame 12) and an outer layer 36. The sealing member 16 may be coupled to the frame 12 utilizing any suitable technique or mechanism. For example, the sealing member 16 may be sutured to the frame 12 with sutures 38 that may extend around the struts 22 and through the inner layer 34. In an alternative embodiment, the inner layer 34 may be attached on the inner surface of the frame 12, while the outer layer 36 is located on the exterior of the frame.

[0051] The outer layer 36 may be configured or shaped to extend radially outward from the inner layer 34 and frame 12 when the prosthetic valve 10 is deployed. As best shown in FIGURE 3, when the prosthetic valve is fully expanded outside the patient's body, the outer layer 36 may expand away from the inner layer 34 to form a space 40 between the two layers, thereby allowing the outer layer 36 to expand into contact with surrounding tissue when implanted within the body.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer layer 36 comprises a lower tapered wall section 36a extending outwardly from the frame in a direction from the inlet end to the outlet end, an upper tapered wall section 36b extending outwardly from the frame in a direction from the outlet end to the inlet end, and a central wall section 36c extending between the lower and upper tapered wall sections. The central wall section 36c may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the prosthetic valve as shown. In alternative embodiments, the upper and lower wall sections may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the prosthetic valve. In alternative embodiments, the outer layer 36 may be formed by connecting separate fabric components (e.g., separate pieces of material for each wall section 36a, 36b, 36c) together (such as by suturing) to form a three-dimensional structure without shape fixation.

[0053] The inner layer 34 is desirably formed with at least one hole or opening, and more desirably formed with multiple holes or openings 42 (FIG. 5). As best shown in FIG. 4, retrograde blood (indicated by arrows 44) may flow along the exterior of the leaflets 20, through the cells 24 of the frame, through the openings 42 in the inner layer 34, and into the space 40 between the inner layer 34 and the outer layer 36 to aid in the expansion of the sealing member 16 and the formation of a seal against the surrounding tissue. In some embodiments, the outer layer 36 may be formed with multiple holes or openings that may allow blood to enter the sealing member at least during deployment of the valve.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the inner layer 34 is formed with one or more openings 42 along the portions of the inner layer that face the outflow surface 70 of the leaflets (the area of ​​the frame between the commissures) to allow retrograde blood to flow through the frame at those locations. The portions of the inner layer 34 that cover the frame in the areas between the leaflet edge portions of the leaflets completely cover the openings in the frame at those locations, thereby preventing antegrade blood from flowing through the frame at those locations. In an alternative embodiment, the inner layer may have portions that cover areas of the frame between the leaflet edge portions of the frame and the notched sections along the portions of the frame that face the outflow surface of the leaflets (see sealing members 702, 802 described below).

[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, the openings 42 can be centered at the intersections 50 of the frame struts 22, thereby preventing the material of the inner layer 34 surrounding these openings from protruding inwardly through the frame and contacting the valve leaflets.

[0056] The sealing member 16 may be formed from fibrous or non-fibrous materials, such as PET, PTFE, ePTFE, polyurethane, silicone, polyester, wire mesh, natural tissue (e.g., pericardium), and / or other suitable materials configured to restrict and / or prevent the passage of blood flow. In some embodiments, the sealing member may be formed from a generally flat strip that is folded lengthwise to form inner and outer layers and then formed into a tube, such as by welding or stitching ends together. In other embodiments, the sealing member 16 may be formed by weaving, knitting, or braiding the sealing member into a tubular shape. The bulge in the outer layer 36 may be formed, such as by shape setting the material into a desired configuration (e.g., as shown in Figures 1 and 2). Shape setting of the outer layer allows the outer layer to be self-expanding or to induce radial expansion of the outer layer. Additionally or alternatively, the outer layer 36 may be self-expanding by including nitinol threads in the outer layer.

[0057] In alternative embodiments, the inner layer 34 may be formed of a porous material that does not have openings 42 and allows blood to flow through the inner layer. For example, in some embodiments, the inner layer 34 may be formed of a relatively more porous material than the outer layer 36. In further alternative embodiments, the outer layer 36 need not be configured to extend away from the outer surface of the frame, but instead can have a shape that conforms to the outer surface of the frame. For example, the outer layer 36 can be generally tubular to correspond to the shape of the frame 12. In some embodiments, the outer layer may be formed of a fabric (e.g., a velour fabric) having a pile layer with fibers or yarns that form a looped or cut pile that aids in sealing against the surrounding tissue. Sealing members formed from such fabrics are further described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 513,348, filed May 31, 2017.

[0058] FIG. 6 illustrates a fabric strip that may be used to form the sealing member 16 according to one embodiment. As illustrated, the fabric strip may include a central section 52 and first and second longitudinal edge portions 54, 56 extending along opposite sides of the central section 52. The central section 52 may include one or more openings 42 in three sets (e.g., three openings in each set in the illustrated embodiment). The openings 42 are positioned to match the locations of the lower intersections 50 of the commissures of the prosthetic valve. The first and second longitudinal edge portions 54, 56 may be folded over the central portion 52 and secured relative to one another, such as by stitching, to form the sealing member. The longitudinal edge portions 54, 56 collectively form the outer layer 36, and the central portion 52 forms the inner layer 34.

[0059] 7A and 7B are perspective views of an exemplary tubular body that may be used to form sealing member 16. With reference to FIG. 7A, tubular body 80 may include upper portion 82 and lower portion 84. Upper portion 82 may include a radial bulge 86. Tubular body 80 may be formed, for example, by three-dimensional weaving, knitting, or braiding. Lower portion 84 may be folded or bent into upper portion 82 to form a sealing member having an outer layer formed by upper portion 82 and an inner layer formed by lower portion 84.

[0060] 7B, a tubular body 90 can include a cylindrical central portion 92, a flat upper portion 94, and a flat lower portion 96. The tubular body 90 can be formed, for example, by three-dimensional weaving, knitting, or braiding. The upper portion 94 can be folded or bent over the lower portion 96 to form two layers of the sealing member.

[0061] 8-13 illustrate a technique for attaching the inflow edges 30 of the leaflets 20 to the frame 12, according to one embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, an interlocking skirt 100 is secured to the lower edge portion 102 (also referred to as the leaflet edge portion) of each leaflet. As best shown in FIG. 9, each interlocking skirt 100 may comprise an elongated, generally rectangular body 104 formed with a number of flaps 106a, 106b formed along either longitudinal edge of the body 104. The skirt 100 may comprise any suitable synthetic material (e.g., PET) or natural tissue.

[0062] 10 and 10A, to secure the linking skirt 100 to the leaflet 20, the body 104 is folded along a central longitudinal crease that bisects the body to form folds 110a, 110b that are then placed on either side of the lower edge portion 102 of the leaflet 20 such that the flap 106a lies adjacent the outer surface of the leaflet and the flap 106b lies adjacent the inner surface of the leaflet. A suture may then be used to form a stitch 108 that extends longitudinally through both portions 110a, 110b of the body 104 and the lower edge portion 102 of the leaflet, as well as along the length of the lower edge portion 102. FIG. 11A shows a flattened view of the leaflet 20 with the skirt 100 folded around the lower edge portion 102 of the leaflet. FIG. 11B shows a flattened view of the leaflets 20 and skirt 100 after they have been secured to the leaflets with stitches 108.

[0063] 12, 12A, and 12B, each pair of flaps 106a, 106b is folded over a respective strut 22 of the frame and away from the leaflets 20 and secured in place with stitches 112 that extend through the flaps 106a, 106b along stitching lines on the exterior of the frame 12. As best shown in FIG. 12B, the interlocking skirt 100 attaches the leaflets to the frame 12 such that the lower edge portion 102 extends radially inward at an angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to the frame 12. This effectively moves the bending axis of the lower edge portion 102 inward, away from the inner surface of the frame, and toward the center of the frame.

[0064] As best shown in Figure 8, each skirt 100 is secured to the frame along a diagonal line 116 that extends along the curved surface of the frame defined by the rows of diagonally extending struts 22 extending from the inflow end towards the outflow end of the frame. As such, the lower edge portion 102 of each leaflet is also positioned along a respective diagonal line 116 defined by the respective rows of diagonally extending struts 22. Advantageously, this reduces tension and wrinkle formation in the leaflets 20.

[0065] The attachment along the diagonal lines 116 also helps reduce the crimp profile of the prosthetic valve when it is radially compressed into the delivery configuration. In particular, while struts in a row of struts extending circumferentially of the frame are moved or bent toward one another during the crimping process, struts located along the diagonal lines 116 substantially maintain alignment relative to one another along the lines 116 during the crimping process. As such, the interlocking skirt 100 (typically formed from a non-stretchable material) does not prevent movement or deformation of the struts relative to one another. Also, because the leaflet edge portions of the leaflets move with the interlocking skirt during crimping, stretching of the leaflets along the leaflet edge portions is prevented or at least minimized.

[0066] FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the frame 12 and the leaflet 20 supported therein shown in an attached configuration, with the connecting skirt 100 removed for purposes of illustration. FIG. 13B is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the frame and leaflet. As shown, the lower edge portion 102 of the leaflet extends perpendicularly or inversely parallel to the frame to form a gap G between the inner surface of the frame and the bending axis 114 of the leaflet 20. Advantageously, this helps to prevent or at least minimize contact of the outer surface of the leaflet with other relatively abrasive components such as the frame and sutures as the leaflet opens during valve operation, thereby preventing undesirable wear of the leaflet caused by contact with the frame. The enlarged space between the leaflet and the frame may also facilitate blood washout on the leaflet at the bending axis of the leaflet.

[0067] Furthermore, in known prosthetic valves, care must be taken to prevent damage to the leaflets by preventing them from extending through the open cells of the frame during crimping. For example, known crimping devices for prosthetic valves can include features or attachments that urge the leaflets away from the frame during crimping or protect the leaflets from extending through the frame cells. In contrast, the skirt 100 helps to maintain at least the inflow portion of the leaflets spaced apart from the inner surface of the frame during crimping of the prosthetic valve, alleviating the need for such spaced crimping attachments.

[0068] Additionally, the interlocking skirt 100 (and other interlocking skirts described herein) may facilitate assembly of the prosthetic valve relative to known assembly techniques. For example, the leaflets and skirt may be assembled while the leaflets are in a flat configuration, prior to forming the tubular (annular) configuration, of the valve structure 14. Automated or semi-automated techniques may be utilized to suture the skirt to the leaflets. Also, once the valve structure is positioned inside the frame, the lower edge portion 102 of the leaflets may be secured to the frame with stitching that is entirely outside the frame 12. This may significantly reduce assembly time, as the assembler does not need to thread a needle to form stitches 112 in and out of the cells 24 of the frame.

[0069] As further shown in Figures 13A-13B, each leaflet 20 includes two tabs 60. Each tab 60 can be secured to an adjacent tab 60 of an adjacent leaflet 20 to form a commissure that is secured to the frame 12. Each tab 60 can be folded to form a radially extending layer 60a and a circumferentially extending layer 60b that faces the frame. Methods for attaching the commissures to the frame are described in detail below and can be incorporated into the prosthetic valve shown in Figures 13A-13B.

[0070] The tab layer 60a may have a beveled edge 62 that extends radially inward from a location on the frame to the coaptation edge 64 of the leaflet. The beveled edge 62 also extends axially from that location on the frame to the coaptation edge 64. This places the center of the coaptation edge 64 (midway between adjacent commissures) below the attachment area of ​​the tab 60 to the commissures and the frame. In other words, the commissures are located at different locations along the height of the frame than the center of the coaptation edge 64. This configuration is advantageous in distributing stresses more evenly along the tab 60 during valve cycling. In some embodiments, the entire coaptation edge 64 of the leaflet is below the attachment location of the commissures to the frame, at least when the leaflet is in the closed position.

[0071] During the valve cycle, the leaflets can articulate at the innermost edge 66 of the tab layer 60a, which helps to space the leaflets from the frame during normal operation of the prosthetic valve. This is particularly advantageous when the prosthetic valve is not fully expanded to its nominal size when implanted in a patient. This allows the prosthetic valve to be implanted in a variety of patient annulus sizes. When the prosthetic valve is under relatively high forces, such as when it is radially compressed for delivery, the leaflets can open away from each other in the frame to relieve stress on the leaflets.

[0072] Typically, the commissures and coaptation edges of the leaflets are relatively large portions of the leaflets that may prevent full radial compression of the prosthesis if they were flush along the frame. Another advantage of the commissure tabs 60 shown in Figures 13A and 13B is that the commissures and coaptation edges are spaced axially apart from one another when the prosthesis is radially compressed for delivery into the patient's body. By spacing these portions of the leaflets apart, the overall crimp profile of the prosthesis is reduced.

[0073] Figures 14 and 15A-15D show an alternative technique for attaching the lower edge portion 102 of the leaflet to the frame 12 using an interlocking skirt 100. As shown in Figure 14, a slit 120 may be formed along the bottom section of the edge portion 102 to aid in folding of the edge portion during the assembly process. Figures 15A-15D show a step-by-step process for mounting the skirt 100 to the leaflet 20 and then attaching the skirt to the frame.

[0074] 15A , the skirt 100 is folded to form a first layer 124 and a second layer 126, and the folded skirt is placed along the upper surface of the leaflet 20. The leaflet edge portion 102 is then wrapped around the folded edges of the skirt 100 to form a first leaflet layer 128 and a second leaflet layer 130 that sandwich the skirt layers 124, 126. The layers 124, 126, 128, 130 may then be secured to one another by stitches 132 that extend longitudinally through all four layers and along the length of the leaflet edge portion 102. An advantage of folding the leaflet edge portion 102 is that the leaflet may better resist being pulled through the stitches 132.

[0075] 15B, the second layer 126 of the skirt may then be folded around the two leaflet layers 128, 130 to form a third skirt layer 134 adjacent the second leaflet layer 130 and a fourth skirt layer 136 adjacent the first leaflet layer 128. With reference to FIG. 15C, the first skirt layer 124 may then be folded back over the third skirt layer 134 to form a fifth skirt layer 138. The fourth skirt layer 136 may be folded over itself to form a sixth skirt layer 140. All six skirt layers and two leaflet layers may be secured together with stitches 142 that extend longitudinally through all eight layers and along the length of the edge portion 102 of the leaflet. Additionally, the fifth layer 138 and the sixth layer 140 may each be secured together at a location spaced radially outward from the leaflets 20 using stitches 144 that extend longitudinally through both layers and along the length of the skirt 100.

[0076] The leaflet and skirt assembly may then be secured to the frame 12. As shown in FIG. 15D, for example, the skirt layers 138, 140 may be positioned under the struts 22 of the frame and secured to the frame using, for example, stitches 146 extending around the struts and through the layers 138, 140. Alternatively, stitches 144 may be wrapped around the struts of the frame to attach the leaflet and skirt assembly in place of or in addition to the stitches 146. Thus, the lower edge portion of each leaflet extends along a diagonal line immediately below the line 116 (FIG. 8) defined by the diagonal row of struts. Attaching the skirt under the diagonal row of struts 22 reduces movement of the skirt relative to the frame and the resulting wear of the skirt, and protects the skirt from tearing during operation of the prosthetic valve.

[0077] In an alternative embodiment, the skirt may be secured to the frame by placing a fifth layer 138 over the struts and a sixth layer 140 underneath the struts and securing the layers directly to each other (e.g., with sutures) outside the frame in a manner similar to how the skirt is secured to the frame in FIG. 12.

[0078] 16-18 show alternative configurations for assembling the skirt 100 and leaflets 20 using folded leaflet edge portions. In FIG. 16, the skirt 100 is folded around the leaflet layers 128, 130 to form a first skirt layer 150 below the leaflet layer 130, a second skirt layer 152 between the leaflet layers 128, 130, and a third skirt layer 154 above the leaflet layer 128. The leaflets and skirt may be secured to one another using stitches 156 that extend longitudinally through the skirt layers 150, 152, 154 and leaflet layers 128, 130 as well as along the length of the leaflet edge portions 102. The configuration of FIG. 16 uses fewer skirt layers than FIGS. 15A-15D and may allow for a lower profile overall crimp profile for the prosthetic valve 10. FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 16 except that the first skirt layer 150 is folded inward to form an additional, fourth skirt layer 158 between the first skirt layer 150 and the lower surface of the leaflet 20. This fourth skirt layer 158 may help prevent leaflet wear by positioning the skirt edge away from the articulating portion of the leaflet. FIG. 18 uses the same configuration as the embodiment of FIGS. 15A-15D except that in the embodiment of FIG. 18 the stitching 160 extends through the skirt layers 124, 126, 134, 136 and leaflet layers 128, 130 but not through the skirt layers 138, 140. The leaflet and skirt assemblies shown in FIGS. 16-18 may be secured to the frame 12 as previously described.

[0079] 19-21 show another configuration for assembling the leaflets 20 and skirt 100. As shown in FIG. 19, the skirt 100 is folded around the lower edge portion 102 of the leaflets 20 to form a first skirt layer 170 and a second skirt layer 172 on the lower surface of the leaflets and a third skirt layer 174 and a fourth skirt layer 176 on the upper surface of the leaflets. The inner edges of the folded layers may be secured with stitches 178 that extend longitudinally through all four layers 170, 172, 174, 176 and along the length of the skirt and leaflets. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the skirt 100 may then be attached to the frame 12 by positioning the outer edges of the skirt layers 170, 176 under the diagonal rows of struts 22 and securing the layers to each other and to the struts with stitches 180. Stitches 180 extend through layers 170, 176 and around struts 22' that intersect with and above the diagonal row 116 of struts 22.

[0080] FIG. 22 illustrates a configuration similar to that shown in FIGS. 19-21 except that a section of the leaflet lower edge portion 102 extends through the cells of the frame. A first row of stitches 182 may be used to secure the leaflet lower edge portion 102 to the inner edges of the folded layers 170, 172, 174, 176. A second row of stitches 184 may be used to secure the leaflet lower edge portion 102 to the outer edges of the folded layers 170, 172, 174, 176 at an exterior location of the frame. The leaflet lower edge portion 102 may be formed with a series of slits 186 spaced along the length of the leaflet corresponding to the locations of the struts 22 so that a section of the leaflet lower edge portion 102 may extend through the cells of the frame.

[0081] 23 is a schematic diagram of attachment of the leaflet 20 to a frame using a connecting skirt 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer edge of the connecting skirt 100 can be secured (e.g., by sutures, adhesive, or welding) to an annular inner skirt 190, which in turn can be secured (e.g., by sutures, adhesive, or welding) to struts of the frame. Alternatively, the outer edge of the connecting skirt 100 can be attached directly to the struts of the frame without the inner skirt 190, as previously described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 8-22. The inner edge of the connecting skirt 100 can be connected (e.g., by sutures) to the lower edge portions 102 of the leaflet, which can be spaced apart from the inner skirt 190 and / or the inner surface of the frame 12 by the connecting skirt. In certain embodiments, for example, the width of skirt 100 between the lower edge of each leaflet 20 and the inner surface of inner skirt 190 and / or frame 12 can be from about 1 mm to about 5 mm.

[0082] Forming the interlocking skirt 100 from a fiber (e.g., PET) can promote tissue ingrowth and the formation or attachment of biological components, such as fibrin and other blood components, along the upper surface of the interlocking skirt during valve operation. The material attachment of the skirt 100 makes it substantially thicker and more rigid, thereby resisting flexing of the skirt during the valve cycle. As a result, the normal closed position of the leaflets is dictated by the diastolic blood pressure on the leaflets. During systole, the skirt 100 can remain substantially stationary, forming a gap between the leaflets and the inner surface of the inner skirt 190 and / or frame 12 to protect the leaflets from wear due to contact with those components of the prosthetic valve.

[0083] 24-25 show another configuration for attaching the lower sectored edge portion 102 of the leaflet to the frame 12. As shown in FIG. 24, the lower edge portion 102 of the leaflet 20 may be folded upward toward the outflow end of the frame and against the inner surface of the frame to form a bending axis between the lower edge portion and the remainder of the leaflet that may articulate toward and away from the frame during the valve cycle. The bending axis of the leaflet is thus spaced inwardly from the frame, which may provide multiple benefits including protection against leaflet abrasion during valve cycle, reduced stress along the lower edge of the leaflet during valve closure, improved blood washout of the leaflet (thus eliminating or at least minimizing premature calcification in those regions), and improved leaflet closing action. A reinforcing member 200, such as a wire, cord, sleeve, fiber, or suture, may be positioned along the upper surface of the leaflet at the bending axis where the lower edge portion 102 intersects with the articulating portion of the leaflet. In other embodiments, the reinforcing member 200 may be placed along the inferior surface of the leaflet. The reinforcing suture 200 may comprise, for example, a multifilament suture (eg, an Ethibond suture).

[0084] The leaflets 20 may be coupled to the frame 12 using a variety of techniques or mechanisms. As shown in FIGS. 25A-25B, for example, the leaflets 20 may be coupled to the frame 12 using a connecting skirt 202 having an inner longitudinal edge portion 204 and an outer longitudinal edge portion 206. The inner edge portion 204 may be folded upward against the leaflet's lower edge portion 102. The outer edge portion 206 may be folded downward against an outer skirt 210 (which may comprise, for example, a sealing member 16) attached to the exterior of the frame. The outer edge portion 206 may contact the outer skirt 210 through the cells of the frame at locations below the diagonal rows of struts 22. The connecting skirt 202 may comprise two layers of material 202a, 202b, such as by folding the skirt lengthwise prior to assembly of the skirt to the leaflets. Alternatively, the connecting skirt 202 may comprise a single layer of material.

[0085] The inner edge portion 204 may be secured to the leaflets 20 by stitches 208 that pass through the skirt 202, leaflets 20, and reinforcing suture 200 and extend longitudinally along the leaflets and skirt. The outer edge portion 206 may be secured to the outer skirt 210 by stitches 212 that pass through and extend longitudinally along the connecting skirt 202 and the outer skirt 210. As shown in FIG. 25B, the connecting skirt 202 may also be secured directly to the frame by stitches 212 or by separate stitches that extend through the outer edge portion 206 of the skirt 202 and around the intersection 50 of the frame where two struts intersect. The connecting skirt may remain unattached at the apex 216 formed by the intersection of each pair of struts 22 at the inflow end of the frame.

[0086] Desirably, the rows of stitches 212 extend above the apexes 216 as shown to prevent the leaflets from protruding below the inflow end of the frame, thereby protecting the leaflets from contacting adjacent native tissue, such as calcium nodules, before or during deployment of the prosthetic valve 10. Folding the lower edge portions 102 of the leaflets upwardly, away from the connecting skirt 202, and toward the outflow end of the frame, minimizes the amount of overlapping layers of material of the skirt 202, leaflets 20, and frame 12, thereby reducing the overall crimp profile of the prosthetic valve.

[0087] Figure 26 shows an alternative configuration for attaching the leaflets 20 to the frame using an interlocking skirt 202. The embodiment of Figure 26 can be identical to the embodiment of Figures 24 and 25, except that the outer edge portion 206 of the interlocking skirt 202 extends between a lower edge portion of the upper outer skirt 218 and an upper edge portion of the lower outer skirt 220. The interlocking skirt 202, the upper outer skirt 218, and the lower outer skirt 220 can be secured to one another with stitches 222 that extend through all three layers of material.

[0088] Figure 27 shows another alternative configuration for attaching the leaflets 20 to the frame using a linking skirt 202. The embodiment of Figure 27 can be identical to the embodiment of Figures 24 and 25, except that the outer edge portion 206 of the linking skirt 202 can be folded upward toward the outflow end of the frame. The outer edge portion 206 can be secured to the outer skirt 210 with stitches 212.

[0089] Figures 28 and 29 show in further detail various methods of suturing the inner edge portion 204 of the connecting skirt 202 to the lower edge portion 102 of the leaflet 20. In Figure 28, the stitch 208 extends through the inner skirt layer 202b but not through the outer skirt layer 202a. In Figure 29, the stitch 208 extends through both skirt layers 202a, 202b.

[0090] 30 illustrates another configuration for attaching the leaflet lower edge portion 102 to the frame 12. As shown in FIG. 30, the leaflet lower edge portion 102 may be joined to the frame 12 with a connecting skirt 230 having an upper edge portion 232 and a lower edge portion 234. The upper edge portion 232 may be secured to the outer skirt 210 above the diagonal row of struts 22 with stitches 236 extending through the outer skirt and the connecting skirt. The connecting skirt lower edge portion 234 may be secured to the outer skirt below the diagonal row of struts 22 with stitches 238 extending through the outer skirt and the connecting skirt. An intermediate portion of the connecting skirt (between the upper edge portion 232 and the lower edge portion 234) may extend over the diagonal row of struts.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 30, the spacing between the strut row and stitch 236 is desirably greater than the spacing between the strut row and stitch 238, which allows for an increased contact angle between the skirt and strut 22. The circled area 240 in FIG. 30 represents the contact area where contact occurs between the connecting skirt 230 and the frame 12, or where the majority of the contact occurs between the connecting skirt and the frame. Under systole, the angle of the skirt 230 with respect to the transverse axis of the frame at the contact area 240 (the transverse axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame) is about 60-90 degrees, or more preferably about 70-90 degrees, or even more preferably about 80-90 degrees. Increasing the skirt contact angle allows for reduced bending stresses in the skirt during valve cycling, improving skirt durability. Additionally, the connecting skirt 230 may be sized or configured such that during diastole, the connecting skirt may move slightly radially inward under blood pressure and away from the skirt 230 of the strut 22, thereby eliminating or minimizing contact between the skirt and the strut.

[0092] 31 illustrates another configuration for attaching the leaflet lower edge portion 102 to the frame 12 using a linking skirt 230, which is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 30, except that an upper edge portion 232 of the linking skirt is secured to the struts 22a of the upper diagonal row and a lower edge portion 234 of the linking skirt is secured to the struts 22b of the lower diagonal row. In this manner, the leaflet lower edge portion 102 may be secured to the linking skirt 230 between the upper and lower rows of struts. The upper edge portion 232 of the linking skirt may be at least partially wrapped around the struts 22a of the upper row, but may be secured in place by loop stitches 250 that extend through the skirt and around the struts 22a. The lower edge portion 234 of the linking skirt may be at least partially wrapped around the struts 22b of the lower row, but may be secured in place by loop stitches 252 that extend through the skirt and around the struts 22b. By mounting the connecting skirt 230 to two adjacent diagonally extending rows of struts in the manner shown in FIG. 31, relative movement between the connecting skirt and the frame is prevented or at least minimized, which may improve the durability of the skirt.

[0093] FIG. 32 illustrates another configuration for attaching the leaflet lower edge portion 102 to the frame 12 without a connecting skirt. In the embodiment of FIG. 32, the leaflet lower edge portion 102 may be folded upward against a diagonal row of struts 22 and secured in place with loop stitches 254 that extend around the struts 22 and through the leaflet edge portion 102 at a first location, through the reinforcing suture 200, and through the leaflet edge portion 102 at a second location. By positioning the leaflet folded edge portion 102 parallel to the inner surface of the strut, abrasion of the leaflet due to movement of the leaflet relative to the frame may be minimized. The elimination of the skirt in this embodiment allows the overall crimp profile of the prosthetic valve to be reduced, providing a tighter connection between the leaflet and the frame, thereby reducing relative movement between these two components.

[0094] 33-37 illustrate a technique for attaching a commissure of a valve structure to a frame, such as commissure 32 to frame 12, according to one embodiment. FIG. 33 illustrates a leaflet 300 having a lower edge portion 302 that may be attached to frame 12 utilizing any of the previously described embodiments. Lower edge portion 302 terminates at its upper end in two laterally projecting integral lower tabs 304. Integral upper tabs 306 (also referred to as commissure tabs) project from upper corners of leaflet 300. Upper tabs 306 may be spaced from lower tabs 304 by side edges 338 to define laterally extending gaps or recesses in the leaflet.

[0095] To assemble the commissures, each upper tab 306 is folded along a horizontal fold line 308 to form a first tab layer 306a and a second tab layer 306b as shown in FIG. 33 (see also FIG. 37). A first vertically extending reinforcing member 310 may be positioned against the first tab layer 306a adjacent its inner edge. A second vertically extending reinforcing member 312 may be positioned against the second tab layer 306b on an opposing side of the first reinforcing member 310. The first tab layer 306a and the second tab layer 306b may be secured to one another by stitches 314 extending through the first tab layer 306a and the second tab layer 306b and through the first reinforcing member 310 and the second reinforcing member 312.

[0096] The first and second tab layers 306a, 306b are then folded lengthwise along vertical fold lines to form an outer fold portion 316 and an inner fold portion 318 extending radially inward from the outer fold portion 316, as shown in FIG. 35. A third vertically extending reinforcing member 320 may be positioned against the first fold layer 306a of the outer fold portion 316, and a commissure attachment member 322 may be positioned against the second fold layer 306b of the outer fold portion 316. The outer fold portion 316 may be secured to the commissure attachment member 322 by stitches 324 extending through the third reinforcing member 320, the first and second tab layers 306a, 306b, and the commissure attachment member 322. The outer edges of the first and second tab layers 306a, 306b may be further secured to the commissure attachment members 322 by stitches 326. The upper tabs 306 of the second leaflet 300 may be assembled in the same manner as each reinforcing member and attached to the commissure attachment members 322 adjacent the first leaflet to form the commissures 328 as shown in FIG. 37. The commissure attachment members 322 may then be secured to struts of a frame (see, e.g., FIG. 65), as described further below.

[0097] The folded tab layers 306a, 306b reinforced by the first and second reinforcing members 310, 312 may have a higher resistance to bending or articulation than the portion 330 of the leaflet located radially inward of the tab layers. This allows the leaflet 300 to articulate primarily at the inner edge 332 of the folded layer 306a in response to blood flowing through the prosthesis during operation of the prosthesis in vivo, as opposed to articulating about axes on or adjacent to the metal struts of the frame. Because the leaflets articulate at a location spaced radially inward from the frame 12, the leaflets can avoid contact with and damage from the frame. This is particularly advantageous when the prosthesis is not fully expanded to its nominal size when implanted in a patient. This allows the prosthesis to be implanted in a variety of patient annulus sizes.

[0098] Under large forces, the fold tab layers 306a, 306b of adjacent leaflets can spread apart about their respective axes 334 ( FIG. 37 ) adjacent the frame 12 with each inner fold 318 folded against each outer fold 316. For example, this can occur when the prosthetic valve 10 is press-fit onto the shaft of a delivery device, allowing for a smaller crimp diameter. The fold tab layers can also spread apart about their axes 334 when the balloon of the balloon catheter is inflated during expansion of the prosthetic valve, thereby relieving some of the pressure on the commissures caused by the balloon so that the commissures are not damaged during expansion.

[0099] Once the leaflets 300 are attached to the frame, the lower tabs 304 of each leaflet may be folded downwardly against the leaflet edge portion 302 and held in place using sutures or the like. The folded lower tabs 304 help reinforce the connection between the leaflet edge portion 302 of the leaflet and the frame along the upper section of the leaflet edge portion adjacent the commissures. The folded lower tabs 304 also prevent or minimize contact between the leaflet and the frame in the area below the commissures by shifting the bending axis of the upper section of the leaflet edge portion inward and away from the inner surface of the frame.

[0100] The side edges 338 between the lower tab 304 and the upper tab 306 may be left unattached to the frame of the prosthetic valve (see FIG. 1C). The unattached side edges 338 provide several advantages, including reducing stress on the leaflets by allowing greater leaflet elongation or stretching in the axial direction when the prosthetic valve is compressed from a radially expanded state to a radially compressed state during the crimping process, and by allowing greater leaflet elongation or stretching in the radial direction when the prosthetic valve is expanded to a radially expanded state. The unattached side edges 338 also allow blood to flow into the space between the pair of side edges 338 of the adjacent leaflets and the inner surface of the frame, thereby reducing blood stagnation and thrombus formation. During diastole, the adjacent side edges 338 may come together to prevent retrograde blood from flowing between the side edges 338. During systole, adjacent side edges 338 may separate from one another to allow antegrade blood to flow between side edges 338 and help wash blood away from the area below the commissures.

[0101] The reinforcing members 310, 312, 320 desirably comprise a relatively soft and flexible non-metallic material. For example, the reinforcing members can comprise a multifilament suture (e.g., Ethibond suture), or a strip of synthetic material such as a fibrous material (e.g., PET) or a non-fibrous material (e.g., silicone or polyurethane), or natural tissue (e.g., pericardium). The commissure attachment members 322 can similarly comprise a soft and flexible non-metallic material such as a strip of synthetic material such as a fibrous material (e.g., PET) or a non-fibrous material (e.g., silicone or polyurethane), or natural tissue (e.g., pericardium). Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the commissures 328 do not comprise a metallic component or other material having similar stiffness. The absence of such materials reduces wear and abrasion of the leaflet material and allows for a reduced overall crimp profile of the prosthetic valve.

[0102] Figure 38 illustrates a modification of the embodiment shown in Figure 37. The embodiment of Figure 38 may be identical to the embodiment of Figure 37, except that a pair of fold layers 306a, 306b of adjacent leaflets 300 may be secured together by sutures 336 that extend through the reinforcing members 310, 312 and tab layers 306a, 306b of each leaflet 300. By securing the leaflets together, the bending axis of the leaflet articulation portion 330 may be reinforced during normal valve operation.

[0103] 39 illustrates an alternative embodiment of leaflet 340, similar to leaflet 300, except that leaflet 340 includes upper tabs 340 that project laterally a greater distance than upper tabs 306. Each upper tab 340 may be folded widthwise along respective vertical fold lines 342 to form two folded tab layers that mate with the folded tab layer of an adjacent leaflet, thereby forming a commissure as previously described.

[0104] 40-46 show another embodiment of a leaflet and a method for forming a commissure from two leaflets. As shown in FIG. 40, leaflet 400 includes a lower edge portion 402 terminating in a lower tab 404, and an upper tab 406 (also called a commissure tab) is spaced from the lower tab 404 by a gap 408. The lower tab 404 may be folded downwardly against the lower edge portion 402 to stiffen those areas of the leaflet and move the bending axis of the upper section of edge portion 402 (the portion directly below the commissure) inwardly and away from the inner surface of the frame as previously described.

[0105] Each upper tab 406 includes a lower tab portion 410, an upper tab portion 412 extending from the lower tab portion, and a side tab portion 414 extending laterally inwardly from the upper tab portion. To form the commissure, a reinforcing member 418 (e.g., a multifilament suture or fiber strip) may be vertically disposed along the upper tab portion 412 in the manner shown in FIG. 41. The side tab portion 414 may then be folded along fold line 416 relative to the upper tab portion 412 as shown in FIGS. 41-42. The double layer of side tab portion 414 and upper tab portion 412 may then be folded along horizontal fold line 420 relative to the lower tab portion 410 as shown in FIGS. 42-43.

[0106] 44, the commissure attachment member 422 may then be placed against the rear (outer) surface of the lower tab portion 410 and secured to the upper tab 406 with stitches 424 extending through the upper tab portion 412, the reinforcing member 418, the side tab portion 414, the lower tab portion 410, and the commissure attachment member 422. The three layers formed by the lower tab portion 410, the upper tab portion 412, and the side tab portion 414 may then be folded into an L-shape to form an outer fold portion 426 adjacent the commissure attachment member 422 and an inner fold portion 428 extending radially inward from the outer fold portion, as shown in FIG. 46. The tab layer of the outer fold portion 426 may be further secured to the commissure attachment member 422 with stitches 432, as shown in FIG. The upper tabs 406 of the other leaflets may be assembled in the same manner and secured to the same commissure mounting members 422 to form commissures 430 as shown in FIGS.

[0107] As discussed above, the stitches 424 may extend through each layer formed by the lower tab portion 410, the upper tab portion 412, and the side tab portion 414. As shown in FIG. 46, the stitches 424 from each commissure tab 406 may extend diagonally from one another to compress the folded commissure tabs 406 against one another and against the commissure attachment member 422. In alternative embodiments, the stitches 424 may be disposed through the reinforcing member 418, the side tab portion 414, and the lower tab portion 410 prior to folding the upper and side tab portions along the fold line 420. In this manner, the stitches 424 need not extend through the upper tab portion 412 as shown in FIG. 46. In some embodiments, another reinforcing member 438 may be disposed against the outer surface of the commissure attachment member 422 (FIG. 46). The stitches 424 from each commissure tab 406 may extend through the reinforcement member 438 at the same location as shown or at spaced locations.

[0108] The commisures 430 may function similarly to the commisures 328 described above. Thus, during a normal valve cycle, the leaflets 400 may articulate about their respective axes at the inner ends 434 of the tab layer 412. Compression of the folded commisure tabs 406 by the stitches 424 helps maintain the normal bending axes of the leaflets 400 away from the frame. During valve deployment, the leaflets may spread apart from each other at axes 436 adjacent the commisure mounting members 422.

[0109] FIG. 47 illustrates an alternative configuration for forming the commissures. The embodiment of FIG. 47 is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 33-37, except that a vertical reinforcing member 344 may be placed between the two layers of the commissure tabs of the leaflet. The commissures may be formed by placing the reinforcing member 344 on the tab portion 306a prior to folding the tab portion 306a along the fold line 308. After folding the commissure tabs 306, the folded layers 306a, 306b may be secured to the commissure attachment member 322 by stitches 346 that extend through the reinforcing member 344, both tab layers 306a, 306b, and the commissure attachment member 322.

[0110] Figure 48 shows an alternative configuration for forming the commissures, similar to Figure 46, except that each folded commissure tab 406 is secured to a separate reinforcing member 438 (one of which is shown in Figure 48). Stitches 440 may also secure the side tab portions 414 to the reinforcing member 418.

[0111] 49-54 illustrate another embodiment of a leaflet and a method for forming a commissure 32 from two leaflets. As shown in FIG. 49, leaflet 500 includes a lower edge portion 502 terminating in a lower tab 504, with an upper tab 506 (also called a commissure tab) spaced from the lower tab 504 by a gap 508. The lower tab 504 may be folded downwardly against the lower edge portion 502 to stiffen those areas of the leaflet as previously described and to shift the bending axis of the upper section of edge portion 502 (the portion immediately below the commissure) inwardly, away from the inner surface of the frame.

[0112] Each commissure tab 506 includes a lower tab portion 510 and an upper tab portion 512. To form the commissure, the upper tab portion 512 is folded along fold line 514 relative to the lower tab portion 510. The bilayer including the tab portions 510, 512 may then be folded along vertical fold lines 516 to form a first layer 518, a second layer 520, a third layer 522, and a fourth layer 524 from each commissure tab 506 as shown in FIGS. 50-52. A reinforcing member 526, such as a fabric (e.g., PET) strip, may be positioned between the second layer 520 and the third layer 522.

[0113] The commissure tabs 506 of another leaflet 500 may be folded in the same manner and positioned against the folded commissure tabs of the first leaflet within the commissure attachment member 528. The commissure attachment member 528 may be folded as shown in FIG. 50 to form a central outer portion 530, outer end portions 532, and side portions 534 with first and second layers of material 534a and 534b extending from each end of the end portion 532 and central outer portion 530, respectively. The side portions 534 may be positioned against each fourth layer 524 of the commissure tabs.

[0114] 50, the layers 534a, 534b of each side portion 534 may be secured to one another by stitches 536. Each side portion 534 may be secured to the commissure tabs 506 by stitches 538 that extend through each reinforcement member 526, each of the third and fourth layers 522, 524, and both layers of each side portion 534. The commissure attachment members 528 may be secured to the struts 22 of the frame 12 by sutures or other techniques or mechanisms.

[0115] 51 illustrates another method of securing the folded commissure tabs 506 to the commissure attachment members 528. As shown in FIG. 51, for each commissure tab, a row of laterally extending stitches 540 may be used to secure the inner end portions of the side portion layers 534a, 534b, the third and fourth layers 522, 524, and the reinforcing member 526. A diagonally extending row of stitches 542 may be used to secure the reinforcing member 526, the third and fourth layers 522, 524, and the posterior end portions of the side portion layers 534a, 534b.

[0116] As shown in FIGS. 52-53, each commissure 32 may include an inner sleeve 544 and an outer support member 546. The inner sleeve 544 may include a first portion 544a and a second portion 544b that extend around the outer side and upper and lower portions of each folded commissure tab 506, respectively. Adjacent upper ends 548 of the first and second portions 544a, 544b may be secured to one another (e.g., by sutures) at the center of the commissure 32. Adjacent lower ends of the first and second portions 544a, 544b may be secured to one another (e.g., by sutures) at the center of the commissure 32 as well. Each side portion 534 of the commissure attachment member 528 may be secured (e.g., by sutures) to one of the first and second portions 544a, 544b of the inner sleeve. The outer support member 546 may be secured (e.g., by sutures) to the central outer portion 530 and / or the end portions 532 of the commissure attachment member 528.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 54, at least a portion of the outer support member 546 may be positioned on the exterior of the frame 12. The outer support member 546 may be secured (e.g., by sutures) to each strut 22 in a set of struts that form a cell of the frame. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the outer support member 546 may be sutured to each strut of a diamond-shaped cell made up of four struts 22. The inner sleeve 544 and the outer support member 546 may comprise any suitable relatively flexible and soft material, such as those previously described for the reinforcing members and commissure attachment members of the previous embodiments. In a particular embodiment, the inner sleeve 544 and the outer support member 546 comprise PET fibers.

[0118] Figure 55 illustrates a modification of the commissures 32 shown in Figures 52-54. The embodiment of Figure 55 can be identical to the embodiment of Figures 52-54, except that it includes a reinforcing member 554 in the form of a multifilament suture positioned between the second layer 520 and the third layer 522 of each commissure tab 506.

[0119] FIG. 56 illustrates an alternative embodiment for forming a commissure from two leaflets 300. The commissure tabs 306 may be folded in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 33-37. As shown, a reinforcing member 350 (e.g., a strip of PET or other material) may be placed in the fold of each layer 306a. A commissure attachment member 352 may be placed against the outward fold 316 of each layer 306b and folded in the manner shown in FIG. 56 to form three layers of material 352a, 352b, 352c in each layer 306b. For each commissure tab 306, a stitch 354 may be used to secure the reinforcing member 350, layers 306a, 306b, and the three folded layers of commissure attachment member 352.

[0120] 57-58 show another embodiment of a prosthetic valve 600. The prosthetic valve 600 may be similar to the prosthetic valve 10 described above, except for the configuration of the sealing member. The prosthetic valve 600 in the illustrated embodiment includes a sealing member 602 having an inner portion or layer 604 and an outer portion or layer 606. The inner layer 604 is attached to the interior of the frame 12 and includes three triangular shaped portions 608. FIG. 59 shows the sealing member 602 in a flat configuration prior to attachment to the frame. The semi-triangular portions at each end of the sealing member form the triangular portions 608 when the sealing member is formed into a tubular or annular shape with the ends interconnected.

[0121] The upper edge portion 610 of the inner layer is shaped to correspond to the shape of the lower edge portion 102 of the leaflet 20. The lower edge portion 102 of the leaflet 20 may be directly connected (e.g., by sutures) to the upper edge portion 610 of the inner layer 604 using a connecting skirt (e.g., any connecting skirt described herein such as skirt 100) or other attachment techniques described herein. The upper edge portion 610 of the inner layer 604 may be secured to the struts 22 of the frame 12, such as with the sutures used to connect the inner layer to the leaflet or with separate sutures extending through the struts 22 and the inner layer. The inner layer 604 functions to prevent antegrade blood from flowing outward through the cells of the frame below the inflow edge of the leaflet.

[0122] The outer layer 606 may be wrapped around the inflow end 26 of the frame and secured (e.g., with sutures) along an upper edge portion 612 to struts 22 on the exterior of the frame 12. Individual sutures may be used to secure the outer layer 606 to the apexes of the inflow end 26 of the frame at circumferentially spaced locations.

[0123] The outer layer 606 may be shaped or configured to extend radially outward from the frame when the prosthesis is radially expanded to its functional size, forming a space 614 between the frame and the outer layer 606. When deployed in a patient, retrograde blood may flow over the outer surface of the leaflets 20, through the cells of the frame, and into the space 614 within the outer layer 606, aiding in the formation of a seal against the surrounding tissue. The absence of material within the frame facing the moving portions of the leaflets 20 may reduce the overall crimp profile of the prosthesis and inhibit wear of the leaflets 20, especially if the prosthesis is not fully expanded to its nominal size. As a result, this allows the prosthesis to be implanted within a variety of patient annulus sizes.

[0124] Seal member 602 may be formed from the same materials and using the same techniques as described above for seal member 16 .

[0125] 60-61 illustrate another embodiment of a prosthetic valve 700, which may be similar to the prosthetic valve 10 described above, except for the configuration of the sealing member. The prosthetic valve 700 in the illustrated embodiment includes a sealing member 702 that includes an inner portion or layer 704 and an outer portion or layer 706. The inner layer 704 is attached to the exterior of the frame 12 and includes three triangular portions 708. In certain embodiments, the triangular portions 708 are connected only by thin strips 705.

[0126] FIG 62 shows the sealing member 702 before it is assembled onto the frame 12 and folded into its final shape. When mounting the sealing member 702 onto the frame 12, the sealing member may first be placed onto the frame as shown in FIG 63 with the inflow end portion of the inner layer 704 adjacent the inflow end 26 of the frame. The triangular portions 708 correspond to the shape of the lower edge portions 102 of the leaflets 20 and are shaped to cover the openings in the frame between adjacent edge portions 102 below each commissure. Due to the shape of the triangular portions 708, the inner layer 704 does not cover the portion of the frame that faces the outflow surface of the leaflets.

[0127] The lower edge portion 102 of the leaflet 20 may be directly connected (e.g., by sutures) to the upper edge portion 710 of the inner layer 704 using a connecting skirt (e.g., any connecting skirt described herein, such as skirt 100) or other attachment techniques described herein. The inner layer 704 functions to prevent antegrade blood from flowing outwardly through the cells of the frame below the inflow edge of the leaflet.

[0128] The outer layer 706 may then be folded onto the inner layer 704 toward the inflow end 26 of the frame such that the upper end of the pre-folded outer layer becomes the lower (inflow) end of the outer layer and is adjacent to the inflow end 26 of the frame, as shown in FIG. 60. Folding the outer layer onto the inner layer inverts the outer layer such that in the folded assembled state, the inner surface of the pre-folded outer layer becomes the outer surface of the outer layer, and the outer surface of the pre-folded outer layer becomes the inner surface of the outer layer. FIG. 64 shows the sealing member 702 in its final folded state, separated from the remainder of the prosthetic valve for illustrative purposes. After folding the outer layer 706, the inflow and / or outflow ends of the outer layer may be secured (e.g., by sutures) to the struts 22 of the frame.

[0129] Sealing member 702 may be formed from the same materials and utilizing the same techniques as described above with respect to sealing member 16. In an alternative embodiment, inner layer 704 and outer layer 706 can be separate pieces of material that may be secured to one another (e.g., by sutures) at their inflow and / or outflow ends.

[0130] Similar to the embodiment of Figures 57-59, the outer layer 706 may be shaped or configured to extend radially outward from the frame as the prosthesis is radially expanded to its functional size, forming a space 714 between the frame and the outer layer 706. When deployed within a patient, retrograde blood may flow in the direction of arrows 716 over the outflow surfaces 70 of the leaflets 20 and through the cells of the frame into the space 714 within the outer layer 706 to aid in the formation of a seal against the surrounding tissue. The triangular portions 708 prevent antegrade blood from flowing through the frame at locations between the leaflet edge portions 102 of the leaflets. The absence of material within the frame may reduce the overall crimp profile of the prosthesis and inhibit wear of the leaflets 20, especially if the prosthesis is not fully expanded to its nominal size. As a result, this allows the prosthesis to be implanted within a variety of patient annulus sizes.

[0131] FIG. 65 illustrates a prosthetic valve 800 according to another embodiment. The prosthetic valve 800 may include a sealing member 802 attached to a frame 12 as described above in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 60-63. The prosthetic valve 800 may include leaflets 814 interconnected at their outflow ends to form commissures 810 that are attached to cells at the outflow end of the frame. The commissures 810 may be formed by folding the commissure tabs of the leaflets and fastening the commissure tabs to commissure attachment members 812. Each commissure attachment member 812 may be sutured to four struts 22 that define a closed cell 24 of the frame. Methods for forming the commissures 810 and attaching them to the cells 24 by the commissure attachment members 812 are described in detail below.

[0132] 68 shows sealing member 802 separate from other components of the prosthetic valve. Sealing member 802 includes an inner layer 804 and an outer layer 806. Inner layer 804 may include a plurality of triangular-shaped portions 808. Sealing member 802 may have the same or similar configuration as sealing member 702, except that triangular-shaped portions 808 are not interconnected at their lower (inflow) ends. Sealing member 802 may be attached to frame 12 as described above in connection with sealing member 702.

[0133] 74-78, a method for forming the commissures 810 and attaching the commissures 810 to the frame 12 is described. As best shown in FIG. 75, each leaflet 814 has a lower edge or leaflet edge portion 816 that may be attached to the frame 12 utilizing any of the previously described embodiments. The lower edge portion 816 terminates at an upper end in two laterally projecting integral lower tabs 818. Integral upper tabs 820 (also referred to as commissure tabs) project from upper corners of the leaflet 814. The upper tabs 820 may be spaced from the lower tabs 818 by side edges 819 to form laterally extending gaps or recesses 820 in the leaflet.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 75B, each upper tab 820 is folded along fold lines 824 to form first and second tab layers 820a and 820b, similar to the technique described above with respect to the leaflet 300 shown in FIGS. 33-37. The upper tabs 820, along with the upper tabs 820 of adjacent leaflets, are secured to the commissure attachment members 812 to form the commissures 810, as described further below. FIG. 76 shows the commissure attachment members 812 in a flat configuration prior to folding and attachment to the leaflets. Each commissure attachment member 812 in the illustrated configuration includes first and second side portions 828a and 828b projecting laterally from a central portion 830. As shown, the outer peripheral edges 832 of the side portions 828a, 828b may be shaped to correspond to one half of the diamond-shaped cells 24 of the frame 12 to facilitate attachment of the commissure mounting members 812 to the struts 22 of the frame 12, as described further below.

[0135] 77-78, after the upper tabs 820 of the leaflets 814 are folded, the vertical reinforcement 826 may be secured, such as by stitching, to the inner surface of the tab layer 820a. The folded tab layers 820a, 820b may be secured to the side portions 828a or 828b of the commissure attachment member 812. The folded tab layers may then be folded into an L-shape along the vertical fold lines at the reinforcement 826 such that the tab layer 820b forms a first circumferentially extending layer 834a and a first radially extending layer 834b that is generally perpendicular to the layer 834a, and the tab layer 820a forms a second inward circumferentially extending layer 836a and a radially extending layer 836b that is generally perpendicular to the layer 836a. The other upper tab 820 of the adjacent leaflet 814 may be similarly folded and secured against the other side portion 828 a or 828 b of the commissure mounting member 812 .

[0136] The commissure attachment member 812 may be folded to form an inner layer 838, two middle layers 840, and two outer layers 842, as shown in FIG. 78. Each folded upper tab 820 may be secured to the inner layer 838 and the middle layer 840 by stitches 844. In the illustrated embodiment, stitches 844 are shown extending through the reinforcing member 826, layer 836a, layer 834a, layer 838, and layer 840. However, during the assembly process, multiple stitches can be used to secure each layer to the adjacent layer as each fold is made. For example, layers 834a, 836a can be secured to each other and to the reinforcing member 826 by separate stitches, and then additional stitches can be used to secure the leaflet layer to the inner layer 838 of the commissure attachment member 812, and further stitches can be used to secure the middle layer 840 to the inner layer 838. As best shown in FIG. 78, the commissure mounting members 812 may be folded to leave a small gap 846 between the outer layers 842.

[0137] The outer layer 842 may be secured to the frame 12, such as by sewing the outer peripheral edge 832 to the struts 22 with stitches 848. As discussed above, the outer peripheral edge 832 of the commissure attachment member 812 may generally correspond to the shape of a closed cell of the frame 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 71, the frame 12 in the illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of generally diamond-shaped cells 24, each of which is formed by a strut 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d. Stitches 848 may be used to sew the outer peripheral edge 832 of the commissure attachment member 812 to the struts 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d to form a closed cell 24. The commissure attachment member 812 may further include upper and lower tabs 850 and 852 protruding from upper and lower edges of the central portion (FIG. 76). Additionally, stitches 848 may be used to sew upper tab 850 to apex 854 formed by the intersection of struts 22a, 22c, and lower tab 852 to intersection 856 formed by the intersection of struts 22b, 22d.

[0138] The inflow or leaflet edge portions 816 of the leaflets 814 can be secured to the frame 12 using multiple connecting skirts 860 (FIG. 70), which can be formed from the same materials as described above with respect to the connecting skirts 100 (e.g., PET fiber). In the illustrated embodiment, a single connecting skirt 860 is provided for the leaflet edge portion 816 of each leaflet 814 and is sized to extend along the entire length of the leaflet edge portion 816 to a position just below the lower tab 818 of the leaflet 814. FIG. 75B shows the connecting skirt 860 positioned along the leaflet edge portion 816 of the leaflet 814 before being attached to the leaflet by sutures. The connecting skirt 860 can include a central portion 860a sized to extend over the central lower edge portion and two side portions 860b sized to extend over angled side edge portions that extend from the lower central portion to the lower tab 818. The connecting skirt 860 may be formed with slits 862 partially separating the side portions 860b from the central portion 860a to facilitate alignment of the skirt along the leaflet edge portions, as shown in FIG. 75B.

[0139] In alternative embodiments, multiple link skirts may be provided for the leaflet edge portions of each leaflet (e.g., central portion 860a and side portions 860b can be separate pieces of fabric). In another embodiment, a single link skirt may be used to secure all leaflets to the frame, i.e., the single link skirt may be sized to extend along the leaflet edge portions of all leaflets.

[0140] Prior to attachment of the leaflets to the frame, a linking skirt 860 may be attached to the leaflet edge portion of each leaflet. As shown in FIG. 69, the linking skirt 860 may be folded lengthwise to form two fold layers 864a, 864b and placed against the inflow surface of the leaflet edge portion 816. A reinforcing member or reinforcing cord 866 (e.g., Ethibond suture) may be placed against the outflow surface of the leaflet edge portion on the opposite side of the linking skirt 860. The reinforcing member 866 and fold layers 864a, 864b may be sutured to each other and to the leaflet edge portion 816 with stitches 868, which may be a single suture or multiple sutures extending through one or more layers of material.

[0141] When suturing the reinforcing cord 866 to the leaflet 814, the lower tab 818 may be folded downwardly against the leaflet edge portion 816 (see FIG. 75B ) and the reinforcing cord 866 may be placed over the folded lower tab 818. The upper end of the connecting skirt 860 may be sized to extend over the folded lower tab 818. A stitch 868 may be used to secure the reinforcing cord 866 in place against the folded lower tab 818. In certain embodiments, as best shown in FIG. 67 , the reinforcing cord 866 may extend along the folded lower tab 818 of one leaflet 814, through the space between a pair of adjacent lower tabs 818 and a pair of upper tabs 820 below the commissures 810, and further along the lower tab 818 and the leaflet edge portion of the adjacent leaflet 814. In some embodiments, a single reinforcing cord 866 extends continuously along the leaflet edge portions 816 of all of the leaflets and through the space below each commissure 810. In other embodiments, multiple reinforcing cords 866 may be used, with one reinforcing cord secured to the leaflet edge portions of each leaflet. When multiple reinforcing cords 866 are used, the end of each cord may be connected (e.g., by tying or knotting) to an adjacent end of the other cord. For example, adjacent ends of two cords may be interconnected in the space below the commissures.

[0142] 69, 72, and 73 show the connection of a connecting skirt 860 to a frame 12 according to one embodiment. As shown, the connecting skirt may be sewn to the struts 22 of the frame to form a diagonal line extending from the commissures 810 to the inflow end of the frame. In certain embodiments, one or both layers 864a, 864b of the connecting skirt may be secured to the intersections 856 (FIG. 71) with individual stitches 872 and further with stitches 874 formed along the length of the strut 22 between the two intersections 856. Each overlock stitch 874 may extend around the strut 22 through the edge portion 816 and multiple times along the length of the strut. The overlock stitches 874 may optionally extend through the leaflet edge portion 816 as shown in FIG.

[0143] In alternative embodiments, the leaflet edge portions 816 of the leaflets 814 may be attached to the frame and / or inner layer 804 of the sealing member utilizing any of the techniques described herein. For example, any of the techniques or configurations described above with respect to Figures 10-12B or 14-32 may be used to attach the leaflets 814 to the frame 12 with or without the reinforcing cords 866.

[0144] As discussed above in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 33-37, the folded lower tabs 818 help reinforce the connection between the leaflet edge portion 816 of the leaflet along the upper section of the leaflet edge portion adjacent the commissure 810 and the frame. The folded lower tabs 304 also shift the bending axis of the upper section of the leaflet edge portion inward and away from the inner surface of the frame to prevent or minimize contact between the leaflet and the frame in the area below the commissure. In the illustrated embodiment, each lower tab 818 forms one additional layer of leaflet material on the upper (outflow) surface of the leaflet. In alternative embodiments, each lower tab 818 may be configured to shift the bending axis of the leaflet below the commissure further away from the inner surface of the frame by forming multiple additional layers of leaflet material on the upper surface of the leaflet, such as two, three, or four layers.

[0145] The side edges 819 between the lower tabs 818 and the upper tabs 820 may remain unattached to the frame of the prosthetic valve, as best shown in FIG. 67 and as previously described in connection with the configuration shown in FIG. 1C. As previously described, the unattached side edges 819 allow for greater extension or stretch of the leaflets in the axial direction when the prosthetic valve is compressed and greater extension or stretch of the leaflets in the radial direction when the prosthetic valve is expanded. During diastole, adjacent side edges 819 may abut one another to prevent retrograde blood from flowing between the side edges 819. During systole, adjacent side edges 819 may separate from one another to allow antegrade blood to flow between the side edges 819 to help flush blood away from the area below the commissures 810.

[0146] After the leaflet assembly (leaflets 814 and connecting skirt 860) is attached to the frame, the sealing member 802 may be positioned over and attached to the frame as described above in connection with Figures 60-64. The triangular shaped portion 808 of the inner layer 804 of the sealing member may be sutured with sutures 870 to the struts 22 of the frame and / or to one or both layers 864a, 864b of the connecting skirt 860 (see Figure 69).

[0147] 79-80 show another embodiment of a prosthetic valve 900. The prosthetic valve 900 may be similar to the prosthetic valve 10 described above, except for the configuration of the sealing member. The prosthetic valve 900 in the illustrated embodiment includes a sealing member including a first layer 902 and a second layer 904, both of which are mounted on the exterior of the frame 12. The first layer 902 includes a plurality of diamond-shaped first portions 908 interconnected at an upper (outflow) end. The second layer 904 includes a plurality of triangular portions 910 interconnected at a lower (inflow) end. The triangular portions 910, which are circumferentially aligned with the commissures 906 of the prosthetic valve, are interspersed among the diamond-shaped portions 908, which are circumferentially aligned with the valve leaflets 20. As shown, diamond shaped portion 908 and triangular shaped portion 910 may overlap one another to some extent near commissures 906 .

[0148] The triangular portion 910 generally corresponds to the shape of the space between adjacent leaflets 20. The lower (inflow) end of the second layer 904 may be secured (e.g., by sutures) to the inflow end of the frame. The lower edge portion 102 of the leaflet 20 may be joined to the frame 12, such as by a connecting skirt 100 as previously described, which may pass through the cells of the frame and be secured (e.g., by sutures) to the sides of the triangular portion 910. In this manner, the triangular portion 910 prevents antegrade blood from flowing outward through the cells of the frame. The triangular portion 910 may also engage surrounding tissue to help seal the prosthetic valve and prevent paravalvular reflux in combination with the diamond-shaped portion 908.

[0149] The first layer 902 may be secured (e.g., by sutures) to the frame 12 at the inflow end of each diamond-shaped portion 908 and at intersections 912 where the diamond-shaped portions 908 are interconnected along the outflow edge of the first layer. The diamond-shaped portions 908 are configured to extend radially away from the frame to engage and seal to surrounding tissue when the prosthetic valve is deployed. The outflow edge of the first layer 902 between the intersections 912 may remain unattached to the frame to receive retrograde blood between the first layer 902 and the frame. In some embodiments, the diamond-shaped portions 908 are configured to form an annular wavy shape around the exterior of the frame as shown in FIG. 67. Also, in some embodiments, the outflow edge of the first layer 902 may be secured (e.g., by sutures) to the frame at locations 914 between the intersections 912 to induce the first layer 902 to assume a wavy shape when the prosthetic valve is expanded.

[0150] In the illustrated embodiment, the first layer has a diamond shaped portion and the second layer has a triangular shaped portion, although other shapes are possible. For example, the first and second layer sections 908, 910 can be square, oval, rectangular, circular, or a combination of one or more of these shapes.

[0151] In alternative embodiments, the sections 908 of the first layer 902 can be separate pieces of material that are not interconnected. Similarly, the sections 910 of the second layer 904 can be separate pieces of material that are not interconnected. For example, FIGS. 81-82 show a prosthetic valve 1000 with sealing members in the form of alternating diamond-shaped portions 1002 and triangular-shaped portions 1004 positioned around the exterior of the frame. The diamond-shaped portions 1002 can be circumferentially aligned with the leaflets 20, and the triangular-shaped portions 1004 can be circumferentially aligned with the commissures 1006 of the leaflets. Each portion 1002, 1004 can be a separate piece of material that is sutured or otherwise secured to the frame 12 at the inflow and outflow ends. The diamond-shaped portions 1002 and triangular-shaped portions 1004 can extend away from the frame 12 and engage surrounding tissue when the prosthetic valve is expanded.

[0152] 83-84 show a prosthetic valve 1100 according to another embodiment. The prosthetic valve 1100 may include a sealing member 1102 attached to a frame 12 as described above in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 60-63. The prosthetic valve 1100 may include leaflets 1114 interconnected at their outflow ends to form commissures 1110 that are attached to cells at the outflow end of the frame. The commissures 1110 may be formed by folding the commissure tabs of the leaflets and securing them to commissure attachment members 1112, which are then attached to the frame. Each leaflet 1114 may have a lower or leaflet edge portion 1116 that is folded upward toward the outflow end of the frame 12 as previously described and secured to the frame using a respective connecting skirt 1118 as described above in connection with FIGS. 69-73. Any other technique for attaching the leaflet edge portions to the frame disclosed herein may also be utilized.

[0153] 85-86 show a commissure 1110 formed from two leaflets 1114. As shown, each leaflet may have commissure tabs folded over to form a first layer 1120, a second layer 1122, and a third layer 1124. A reinforcing member 1126 may be positioned between the second layer 1122 and the third layer 1124. The commissure attachment member 1112 may be folded over to form a central portion 1128, two side flaps 1130, and two pairs of folded layers 1132, 1134 that extend radially parallel to the third layer 1124 of the leaflets. The leaflet layers 1120, 1122, 1124 and the layers 1132, 1134 of the commissure attachment member 1112 may be secured together by one or more sutures 1136 and 1138. Each suture 1136, 1138 may form multiple parallel stitches that extend through all of these layers. As shown in Fig. 86, the suture 1136 may form a stitch that extends across the upper edges of the leaflet layers 1120, 1122, 1124. The side flaps 1130 may be sutured to the struts 22 of the frame as shown in Figs. 72 and 77.

[0154] As shown in Fig. 85, each leaflet may have opposing concave side edges 1140 below each commisure that may remain unattached to the frame to promote blood flow in the areas below the commisures, as previously described. Each leaflet further has opposing lower tabs 1142 (Fig. 84) similar to lower tabs 818 of prosthetic valve 800. Reinforcing cords, such as reinforcing cord 866, may be secured to leaflet edge portions 1116 of the leaflets, as previously described in connection with prosthetic valve 800.

[0155] Any of a variety of delivery techniques may be utilized to deliver any of the prosthetic heart valves disclosed herein. In a retrograde approach, the prosthetic valve may be mounted in radial compression along a distal end portion of a delivery catheter, and the delivery catheter and prosthetic valve may be advanced through the aorta to the native aortic valve. Once positioned within the native aortic valve, the prosthetic valve may be expanded, such as by inflation of a balloon or another expansion device.

[0156] As mentioned above, any of the prosthetic valves disclosed herein can be self-expanding or can be expandable by applying an expansion force with a balloon or any type of expansion mechanism.An example of a delivery catheter with an inflatable balloon for implanting a plastically expandable prosthetic heart valve (which can be used to implant any of the prosthetic valves disclosed herein) is disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0065415.An example of a delivery catheter that can be used to deliver a self-expanding prosthetic heart valve (which can be used to implant any of the prosthetic valves disclosed herein) is disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0343670.

[0157] [General considerations]

[0158] For purposes of description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosed embodiments have been described herein. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems should not be construed as limiting in any way. Rather, the disclosed embodiments are directed to all novel and non-obvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, both alone and in various mutual combinations and subcombinations. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems are not limited to any particular aspect, feature, or combination thereof, and the disclosed embodiments do not require that any particular advantage or advantages exist or that any particular problem or problems are solved.

[0159] A prosthetic heart valve according to the present disclosure may comprise a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame, a valve structure (e.g., one or more leaflets) mounted within the frame, and one or more novel features described above, including, but not limited to, any of the sealing members described above, any of the specific leaflet configurations described above, any of the configurations for commissures described above, any configurations for coupling leaflet edge portions of the leaflets to the frame, and / or combinations thereof.

[0160] Although some operations of the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in a particular sequential order for convenience of presentation, it should be understood that this description style encompasses the permutation of the particular order, unless the particular order is required by the specific wording below. For example, in some examples, operations described sequentially may be permuted or performed simultaneously. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, the accompanying drawings may not show the various ways in which the methods of the present disclosure may be utilized in combination with other methods. Furthermore, the present description sometimes uses terms such as "realize" or "achieve" to describe the methods of the present disclosure. These terms are highly abstract of the actual operations that are performed. The actual operations that correspond to these terms may vary depending on the particular implementation and can be easily recognized by those skilled in the art.

[0161] In this application and the claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term "comprises" means "comprises." Additionally, the terms "coupled" and "associated" generally mean electrically, electromagnetically, and / or physically (e.g., mechanically or chemically) coupled or linked, and do not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between coupled or associated items, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0162] As used herein, the term "proximal" refers to a position, orientation, or portion of a device that is located closer to the user and further from the implantation site. As used herein, the term "distal" refers to a position, orientation, or portion of a device that is located further from the user and closer to the implantation site. Thus, for example, proximal movement of a device is movement of the device toward the user and distal movement of a device is movement of the device away from the user. The terms "longitudinal" and "axial" refer to an axis extending down the length of a component, typically in the proximal and distal directions, unless otherwise specified.

[0163] In view of the many possible embodiments to which the inventive principles of this disclosure may be applied, it should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are merely preferred examples of the invention and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, which is further defined by the appended claims. We therefore claim as our invention anything that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 10 Artificial heart valves, artificial valves, valves 12 Frames 14 Valve structure, valve cusp structure 16 Component sealing member, sealing member 20 leaflets 22 Strut, frame strut 22a Strut 22b Strut 24 Cells 26 Inlet end 28 Outflow end 30 Inflow Edges 32 Commissure 34 Inner layer 36 Outer layer 36a Lower Tapered Wall Section 36b Upper tapered wall section 36c Center wall section 38 Sutures 40 space 42 Aperture 44 Retrograde Blood 50 Intersection 52 Central section, central part 54 first longitudinal edge portion 56 second longitudinal edge portion 60 Commissure tab, tab 60a Radial extension layer, tab layer 60b Circumferentially extending layer 62 Slanted Edge 64 Joint Edge 66 Innermost edge 70 Outflow surface 80 Tubular body 82 Upper part 84 Lower part 86 Radial bulge 92 Cylindrical center section 94 flat upper part, upper part 96 Flat lower part 100 linked skirt 102 Lower edge portion, valve cusp edge portion, lower fan-shaped edge portion 104 Main unit 106a Flap 106b Flap 108 stitches 109 Circular inner skirt 110a Folding part 110b Folding part 112 stitches 114 Bending shaft 116 Diagonal Lines, Diagonal Columns 120 Slit 124 1st layer, 1st skirt layer 126 Second Layer 128 First Leaflet Layer 130 Second Leaflet Layer 132 stitches 134 Third Skirt Layer 136 Fourth Skirt Layer 138 Fifth Skirt Layer 140 6th Skirt Layer 142 stitches 144 stitches 146 stitches 150 First Skirt Layer 152 Second Skirt Layer 154 Third Skirt Layer 156 stitches 158 Fourth Skirt Layer 160 stitches 170 First Skirt Layer 172 Second Skirt Layer 174 Third Skirt Layer 176 Fourth Skirt Layer 178 stitches 180 stitches 182 stitches 184 stitches 186 Slit 190 Circular inner skirt 200 Reinforcing member, reinforcing suture 202 Linked Skirt 202a Outer skirt layer 202b Inner skirt layer 204 Inner longitudinal edge portion, inner edge portion 206 Outer longitudinal edge portion, outer edge portion 208 stitches 210 Outer Skirt 212 stitches 216 Apex 218 Upper outer skirt 220 Lower outer skirt 222 stitches 230 Linked Skirt 232 Upper edge part, middle part upper edge part 234 Lower edge part 236 stitches 238 stitches 240 Contact area 250 Loop Stitch 252 Loop Stitch 254 Loop Stitch 300 Leaflet, second leaflet 302 Lower edge portion, valve cusp edge portion 304 Integrated lower tab, lower tab 306 Integrated upper tab, upper tab, commissure tab 306a first tab layer, tab portion, tab layer, first folded layer, folded tab layer, folded layer, tab portion, layer 306b second tab layer, second folding layer 308 Horizontal folding lines, folding lines 310 first vertically extending reinforcing member, first reinforcing member 312 second vertically extending reinforcing member, second reinforcing member 314 Stitches 316 Outer folding part 318 Inner folding part 320 Reinforcing member, third reinforcing member 322 Commissure attachment member 324 stitches 326 stitches 328 Commissure 330 Joints 332 Inner Edge 334 Axis 338 Side Edge, Unattached Side Edge 340 Leaflet, upper tab 342 Vertical Folding Line 344 Vertical reinforcement members, reinforcement members 346 stitches 350 Reinforcement member 352 Commissure attachment member 354 stitches 400 leaflets 402 Lower edge part, edge part 404 Bottom Tab 406 Upper tab, commissure tab 408 Gap 410 Lower tab part 412 Upper tab part, tab layer 414 Side tab part 416 Folding Line 418 Reinforcement members 420 Horizontal Folding Line 422 Commissure attachment member 424 stitches 426 Outer folding part 428 Inner folding part 430 Commissure 432 stitches 434 Inner end 436 Axis 438 Reinforcement members 440 stitches 500 leaflets 502 Lower edge part 504 Bottom tab 506 Upper tab, commissure tab 508 Gap 510 Lower tab part 512 Upper tab part 514 Folding Line 516 Vertical Folding Line 518 First Layer 520 Second Layer 522 Third Layer 524 Fourth Layer 526 Reinforcement members 528 Commissure attachment member 530 Central outer part 532 Outer end section, end section 534 Side part 534a first material layer 534b Second material layer 536 stitches 538 stitches 540 Side extension stitch 542 Diagonal row stitching 544 Inner sleeve 544a First Part 544b Second part 546 Outer support member 548 Upper end 554 Reinforcement members 600 Artificial Valves 602 Sealing member 604 Inner layer 606 Outer layer 608 Triangular part 610 Upper edge part 612 Upper edge part 614 Space 700 Artificial Valves 702 Sealing member 704 Inner layer 705 Thin Strip 706 Outer layer 708 triangular part, triangular part 710 Upper edge part 714 Space 800 Artificial Valves 802 Sealing member 804 Inner layer 806 Outer layer 808 Triangular part 810 Commissure 812 Commissure attachment member 814 Valve Leaflet 816 Lower edge part, leaflet edge part 818 Lower Tab 819 Side Edge 820 integral upper tab, upper tab, commissure tab, laterally extending gap, recess 820a First Tab Layer 820b Second Tab Layer 824 Folding Line 826 Vertical reinforcement, reinforcement, reinforcement member 828a First side portion 828b Second lateral part 830 central part 832 outer peripheral edge 834a first circumferentially extending layer 834b first radially extending layer 836a Second inner circumferentially extending layer 836b radially extending layer 838 Inner layer 840 Middle Class 842 Outer layer 844 stitches 846 Small gap 848 stitches 850 Top Tab 852 Lower tab 854 Apex 856 Intersection 860 Linked Skirt 860a central part 860b Side part 862 Slit 864a Folding layer 864b Folding layer 866 Reinforcing cords and reinforcing members 868 stitches 870 Sutures 872 stitches 874 Sewing Stitch 900 Artificial valve 902 First Layer 904 Second Layer 906 Commissure 908 First part, diamond-shaped part, section 910 Triangular part, section 912 Intersection 914 position 1000 Artificial Valves 1002 Diamond-shaped part 1004 Triangular part 1006 Commissure 1100 Artificial valve 1102 Sealing member 1110 Commissure 1112 Commissure attachment member 1114 Valve leaflet 1116 Leaflet edge part 1118 Each connected skirt 1120 First layer, valve leaflet layer 1122 Second Layer 1124 Third Layer 1126 Reinforcement member 1128 Central part 1130 Side flap 1132 Folding layer 1134 Folding layer 1136 Sutures 1140 concave side edge 1142 Lower tab

Claims

1. an annular frame having an inflow end and an outflow end, the annular frame being radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration, the annular frame comprising a plurality of struts defining an opening; a valve structure comprising a plurality of leaflets mounted within the frame and regulating blood flow through the frame, each leaflet comprising an inflow surface, an outflow surface, and a leaflet edge portion secured relative to the frame; a sealing member mounted on the frame, the sealing member comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, at least the outer layer being mounted on an exterior of the frame, the inner layer covering the openings in the frame at least between adjacent leaflet portions of adjacent leaflets, the inner layer uncovering one or more openings in the frame facing the outflow surfaces of the leaflets, thereby allowing retrograde blood to flow through the one or more uncovered openings in the frame into a space between the outer layer and the frame; An artificial heart valve comprising:

2. 2. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the leaflet edge portions of the leaflets have a curved sector shape, and the inner layer of the sealing member comprises a plurality of triangular shaped portions mounted on the frame at locations between adjacent leaflet edge portions of adjacent leaflets.

3. 3. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 2, wherein the inner layer does not cover any openings in the frame facing the outflow surfaces of the leaflets.

4. 4. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is attached onto an outer surface of the frame.

5. 4. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is attached onto an inner surface of the frame.

6. 6. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the outer layer is shape-set to extend radially away from the frame when the frame is in the radially expanded configuration.

7. 7. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 6, wherein the outer layer comprises a shape-setting fiber.

8. 8. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the outer layer comprises a lower tapered wall section extending outwardly from the frame in a direction from the inlet end to the outlet end, an upper tapered wall section extending outwardly from the frame in a direction from the outlet end to the inlet end, and a central wall section extending between the lower tapered wall section and the upper tapered wall section.

9. 9. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the leaflet edge portion of each leaflet is fixed to the frame by a connecting skirt that is connected to the frame and the leaflet edge portion of the leaflet and disposed between the frame and the leaflet edge portion of the leaflet, and each connecting skirt is sutured to a strut of the frame that extends diagonally from the inlet end to the outlet end of the frame.

10. 10. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 9, wherein each connecting skirt comprises two layers of material sutured to the leaflet edge portion of the leaflet and to a strut of the frame.

11. 11. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein each leaflet comprises opposing upper tabs located on either side of the leaflet and opposing lower tabs located on either side of the leaflet below the upper tabs, each upper tab mates with an adjacent upper tab of an adjacent leaflet to form a plurality of commissures, and each lower tab folds to form at least one layer of folds along a leaflet edge portion of each leaflet.

12. 12. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 11, wherein each leaflet is not attached to the frame at a location between the upper and lower tabs.

13. 13. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 12, wherein each leaflet is formed with a gap between the upper and lower tabs on each side of the leaflet.

14. 14. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 11, further comprising at least one reinforcing cord extending along the leaflet edge portion of each leaflet and below each commissure.

15. an annular frame having an inflow end and an outflow end, the annular frame being radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration; a valve structure comprising a plurality of leaflets mounted within the frame and regulating blood flow therethrough, each leaflet comprising opposing upper tabs on either side of the leaflet, opposing lower tabs on either side of the leaflet below the upper tabs, and a leaflet edge portion extending between the lower tabs, the leaflet edge portions being fixed relative to the frame, each upper tab mating with an adjacent upper tab of an adjacent leaflet to form a plurality of commissures fixed relative to the frame, and each lower tab folding to form at least one layer of folds along the leaflet edge portion of each leaflet; An artificial heart valve comprising:

16. 16. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 15, wherein opposing side edges of the leaflets between the upper and lower tabs are not attached to the frame.

17. 17. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 16, wherein the opposing side edges of the leaflets are formed with a gap between the upper and lower tabs when the side edges are not attached to the frame.

18. 18. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 15, further comprising a sealing member mounted on the frame and comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, at least the outer layer being mounted on an exterior of the frame, the inner layer covering openings in the frame at least between adjacent leaflet edge portions of adjacent leaflets, the inner layer having an uncovered area facing an outflow surface of the leaflets to allow retrograde blood to flow through the opening in the frame into a space between the outer layer and the frame.

19. 19. The prosthetic heart valve of any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising a reinforcing cord extending along and secured to the leaflet edge portion of each leaflet and the at least one fold layer of each lower tab.

20. an annular frame having an inflow end and an outflow end, the annular frame being radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration; a valve structure comprising a plurality of leaflets mounted within the frame to regulate blood flow therethrough, each leaflet having opposing tabs on either side of the leaflet and a leaflet edge portion between the tabs, the leaflet edge portion being fixed to the frame, each tab pairing with an adjacent tab of an adjacent leaflet to form a plurality of commissures fixed to the frame, each leaflet having opposing edges between the tabs and the leaflet edge portion that are not attached to the frame, thereby allowing blood to flow between the frame and the unattached edges; An artificial heart valve comprising:

21. 21. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 20, wherein the non-attached edges are spaced radially inward of the frame.

22. 22. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 20 or 21, wherein the tabs of each leaflet include an upper tab that mates with an adjacent upper tab of an adjacent leaflet to form the commissure, and each leaflet further includes opposing lower tabs on either side of the leaflet below the upper tab, the lower tabs spaced from the upper tab by the unattached edge, and the lower tabs folded against the leaflet edge portion of the leaflet.

23. 23. The prosthetic heart valve of any one of claims 20 to 22, further comprising a reinforcing cord extending along and secured to the leaflet edge portion of each leaflet and traversing a space below each commissure.

24. 24. The prosthetic heart valve of any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein each unattached edge of a leaflet can be joined with an adjacent unattached edge of an adjacent leaflet under retrograde blood flow and separated from the adjacent unattached edge under antegrade blood flow.

25. an annular frame having an inflow end and an outflow end, the annular frame being radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration, the annular frame comprising a plurality of struts; a valve structure comprising a plurality of leaflets mounted within the frame and regulating blood flow therethrough, each leaflet having opposing tabs on either side of the leaflet and a leaflet edge portion between the tabs, each tab pairing with an adjacent tab of an adjacent leaflet to form a plurality of commissures connected to the frame; Equipped with a leaflet edge portion of each leaflet connected to the frame by a connecting skirt connected to the frame and the leaflet edge portion of the leaflet and disposed between the frame and the leaflet edge portion of the leaflet, each connecting skirt being sutured to a strut of the frame extending diagonally from the inlet end to the outlet end of the frame.

26. 26. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 25, wherein the leaflet edge portion of each leaflet is folded toward the outlet end of the frame.

27. 27. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 26, further comprising reinforcing cords secured to each leaflet edge portion on opposite sides of each link skirt, the reinforcing cords defining a bending axis for each leaflet.

28. 28. The prosthetic heart valve of any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein each connecting skirt comprises two layers of material sutured to the leaflet edge portion of the leaflet and to the frame.

29. 29. The prosthetic heart valve of any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the leaflet edge portions are not supported by any metal components within the frame.

30. an annular frame having an inflow end and an outflow end, the annular frame being radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration, the annular frame comprising a plurality of struts defining an opening; a valve structure comprising a plurality of leaflets mounted within the frame and regulating blood flow therethrough, each leaflet comprising an inflow surface, an outflow surface, opposing upper tabs on either side of the leaflet, opposing lower tabs on either side of the leaflet below the upper tabs, and a leaflet edge portion extending between the lower tabs, each upper tab mating with an adjacent upper tab of an adjacent leaflet to form a plurality of commissures fixed relative to the frame, and each lower tab folding to form at least one layer of folds along the leaflet edge portion of each leaflet; 1. A prosthetic heart valve comprising: the leaflet edge portion of each leaflet is connected to the frame by a connecting skirt connected to the frame and the leaflet edge portion of the leaflet and disposed between the frame and the leaflet edge portion of the leaflet, each connecting skirt being sutured to a strut of the frame extending diagonally from the inlet end to the outlet end of the frame; each leaflet having opposing edges between the upper and lower tabs that are not attached to the frame, the non-attached edges being spaced radially inward of the frame to allow blood to flow between the frame and the non-attached edges; and the prosthetic heart valve further comprising:

1. A prosthetic heart valve comprising: a sealing member mounted on the frame, the sealing member comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, at least the outer layer being mounted on an exterior of the frame, the inner layer covering the openings in the frame at least between adjacent leaflet portions of adjacent leaflets, and the inner layer not covering one or more openings in the frame facing outflow surfaces of the leaflets, thereby permitting retrograde blood to flow into a space between the outer layer and the frame through the one or more uncovered openings in the frame.

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