Intraparietal aortic valve reinforcement device and reinforced aortic valve
An intraparietal reinforcement device ( 1 ) for use in a biological prosthesis ( 10 ), as well as a biological prosthesis ( 10 ) provided with a device of this type, is particularly suitable for use within the organic tissue of the biological prosthesis ( 10 ), and for reinforcing the structure of the prosthesis so that it retains its shape once implanted.
1. A biological prosthesis comprising a substantially intact aortic valve obtained from an animal, through which substantially intact aortic valve blood flows in a single direction, the substantially intact aortic valve having a tubular outer wall, and at least one intraparietal reinforcement device comprising a rod implanted in said tubular outer wall of said substantially intact aortic valve, the rod penetrating the thickness of the tubular outer wall of said substantially intact aortic valve and extending substantially parallel to said direction of blood flow.
2. A biological prosthesis according to claim 1 , there being a plurality of said intraparietal reinforcement devices implanted in said outer tubular wall of said substantially intact aortic valve, in spaced relation to each other.
3. A biological prosthesis according to claim 2 , wherein said intraparietal reinforcement devices are parallel to each other.
4. A biological prosthesis according to claim 1 , wherein said substantially intact aortic valve has commissures that are parallel to said direction and perpendicular to said tubular wall of said substantially intact aortic valve and joined to said tubular wall of said substantially intact aortic valve, said intraparietal reinforcement device being implanted at the juncture of said outer tubular wall of said substantially intact aortic valve and a said commissure.
5. A biological prosthesis according to claim 4 , wherein said substantially intact aortic valve has three said commissures and there is a said intraparietal reinforcement device implanted at the juncture of each said commissure with said tubular outer wall of said substantially intact aortic valve.
6. A biological prosthesis according to claim 5 , said intraparietal reinforcement devices being spaced apart from each other.
7. A biological prosthesis according to claim 1 , wherein said intraparietal reinforcement device is covered with a fluoropolymer material.
8. A biological prosthesis according to claim 1 , wherein said intraparietal reinforcement device is straight.
9. Previously presented) A biological prosthesis according to claim 1 , wherein said intraparietal reinforcement device has a helical shape.
10. A biological prosthesis according to claim 1 , wherein said intraparietal reinforcement device has a helical surface portion.
11. A biological prosthesis according to claim 1 , wherein said intraparietal reinforcement device has a pointed end.
12. A biological prosthesis according to claim 1 , wherein said intraparietal reinforcement device has a cross piece at one end.
13. A biological prosthesis according to claim 12 , wherein said cross piece is a straight bar.
14. A biological prosthesis according to claim 12 , wherein said cross piece has the same curvature as said tubular wall of said substantially intact aortic valve.
15. A biological prosthesis according to claim 12 , wherein there is a cross piece at each end of the intraparietal reinforcement device.