Implantable prosthetic valve for treating aortic stenosis

1. A prosthetic valve for implantation in a stenosed aortic valve, comprising:

a metallic frame having intersecting bars, the frame being compressible to a compressed external diameter capable of being introduced through an 18 French arterial introducer and into a patient's vasculature using a catheterization technique, the frame being expandable for implantation in the stenosed aortic valve, the intersecting bars of the frame having a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 0.6 mm for providing the frame with sufficient radial strength to resist the recoil force exerted by the stenosed aortic valve, the frame having an upper extremity formed with a zig-zag shape and a lower extremity formed with a zig-zag shape;

a flexible valvular structure made with pericardial tissue, the valvular structure sewn to the frame with stitches made directly around the bars of the frame, the valvular structure positioned entirely between the upper and lower extremities of the frame when in a closed position; and

an internal cover made with pericardial tissue and sewn to the frame, the internal cover fastened on an internal surface of the frame for preventing a passage of blood through spaces between the bars of the frame, the internal cover having an inlet end sewn to the lower extremity of the frame along a zig-zag line, the internal cover having an outlet end sewn to the valvular structure;

wherein the internal cover extends between the lower extremity of the frame and the valvular structure and wherein blood is permitted to pass through spaces in the frame between the valvular structure and the upper extremity of the frame.

2. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the internal cover strengthens the fastening of the valvular structure to the frame.

3. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a concave shape profile.

4. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the valvular structure forms a continuous surface and is provided with guiding means.

5. The prosthetic valve of claim 4 , wherein the guiding means create stiffened zones which induce the valvular structure to follow a patterned movement when moving from the closed position to the open position.

6. The prosthetic valve of claim 5 , wherein the guiding means are further configured to prevent eversion of the valvular structure.

7. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the frame is configured to be expanded by a balloon.

8. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the frame is further compressible to a compressed external diameter capable of being introduced through a 16 French arterial introducer.

9. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the frame is further compressible to a compressed external diameter capable of being introduced through a 14 French arterial introducer.

10. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein a substance with anti-thrombotic properties is incorporated into the valvular structure.

11. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the frame constitutes a grate type structure.

12. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower extremities of the frame are rounded and smooth.

13. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises an expanded external diameter of about 20 to 25 millimeters for contacting the stenosed aortic valve after the prosthetic valve is implanted.

14. A prosthetic valve for implantation in a stenosed aortic valve by a catheterization technique, comprising:

a compressible and expandable frame made with intersecting metallic bars, the frame having a compressed external diameter capable of being introduced into a patient's vasculature through an 18 French arterial introducer using a catheterization technique, the intersecting metallic bars of the frame having a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 0.6 mm for providing the frame with sufficient radial strength to resist the recoil force exerted by the stenosed aortic valve, the frame being expandable to a shape comprising a concave profile and having an upper extremity formed with a zig-zag shape and a lower extremity formed with a zig-zag shape;

a flexible valvular structure having open and closed states, the valvular structure sewn directly to the frame between the upper and lower extremities of the frame, the valvular structure made with pericardial tissue and positioned entirely between the upper and lower extremities of the frame when in the closed position; and

an internal cover made with pericardial tissue and sewn to the frame, the internal cover fastened on an internal surface of the frame for preventing a passage of blood through spaces between the bars of the frame, the internal cover having an inlet end sewn to the lower extremity of the frame along a zig-zag line, the internal cover having an outlet end sewn to the valvular structure;

wherein the internal cover extends only between the lower extremity of the frame and the valvular structure.

15. The prosthetic valve of claim 14 , wherein the frame is further compressible to a compressed external diameter capable of being introduced through a 16 French arterial introducer.

16. The prosthetic valve of claim 14 , wherein the upper and lower extremities of the frame are rounded and smooth.

17. The prosthetic valve of claim 14 , wherein the internal cover strengthens the fastening of the valvular structure to the frame.

18. The prosthetic valve of claim 14 , wherein the frame is configured to be expanded by a balloon.

19. The prosthetic valve of claim 14 , wherein a substance with anti-thrombotic properties is incorporated into the valvular structure.

20. The prosthetic valve of claim 14 , wherein the frame constitutes a grate type structure.