Non-Cylindrical Prosthetic Heart Valve Frame for Lower Pressure Gradients

The patent applies asymmetry by designing a non-cylindrical frame with different diameters at the inflow end versus the outflow end. Specifically, the frame has a larger diameter at the outflow end compared to the inflow end, creating an asymmetric geometry that eliminates the narrowing effect at the outflow orifice. This asymmetric design allows the outflow orifice to be equal to or larger than the inflow orifice, thereby reducing pressure gradients and turbulence while maintaining mechanical expandability through the actuator system.

The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the outflow end cap component that is typically present in cylindrical valve designs. This outflow end cap is extracted or omitted from the design, allowing the frame to have an open or reduced structure at the outflow end. This extraction eliminates the obstruction that would otherwise increase pressure gradients, while the mechanical actuation components are positioned in a way that does not interfere with the enlarged outflow orifice geometry.

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the frame from a uniform cylindrical shape to a non-uniform shape with varying diameters along its length. Specifically, the frame parameters are changed such that the outflow end diameter is larger than the inflow end diameter. This parameter change is achieved through manufacturing techniques such as shaping the frame from a tapered tube or assembling struts at different angles, which maintains manufacturing feasibility while dramatically improving the effective outflow orifice area and overall hemodynamic performance.