ESOPHAGEAL VALVE DEVICE FOR PLACING IN THE CARDIA
A luminal valve for placing in a body lumen comprises at least four valve leaflets. The valve has a normally closed configuration in which the leaflets are engaged and an open configuration in which the leaflets are open. The valve may be mounted to an esophageal support.
1 . A luminal valve for placing in a body lumen comprising at least four valve leaflets, the valve having a normally closed configuration in which the leaflets are engaged and an open configuration in which the leaflets are open.
2 . A luminal valve as claimed in claim 1 comprising at least five valve leaflets.
3 . A luminal valve as claimed in claim 1 comprising six valve leaflets.
4 . A luminal valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve is an esophageal valve.
5 . A valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve has an antegrade open configuration in which the valve leaflets are opened in response to an antegrade force to allow flow through the valve and a retrograde open configuration in response to a retrograde force which is substantially larger than the antegrade force.
6 . A valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve comprises a valve body of polymeric material.
7 . A valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve comprises an outer support region.
8 . A valve as claimed in claim 7 comprising a main body region extending between the support region and the valve leaflets.
9 . A valve as claimed in claim 8 wherein the main body region is generally concave between the outer support region and a region of co-aption of the valve leaflets.
10 . A valve as claimed in claim 8 wherein the valve leaflets and at least portion of the main body region inverts to allow flow in the retrograde direction.
11 - 53 . (canceled)