ARTIFICIAL HEART VALVE

1 . An artificial heart valve ( 1 ) which assists function of a mitral valve or a tricuspid valve and comprises a ring ( 3 ), a first valve leaflet ( 5 ), and a second valve leaflet ( 7 ),

wherein the first valve leaflet ( 5 ) and the second valve leaflet ( 7 ) are connected to the ring ( 3 ) at an upper part of the artificial heart valve ( 1 ),

wherein the first valve leaflet ( 5 ) and the second valve leaflet ( 7 ) are connected at a lower part junction ( 9 ) existing at a lower part of the artificial heart valve ( 1 ), and

wherein the first valve leaflet ( 5 ) and the second valve leaflet ( 7 ) have, at a lower part of the ring ( 3 ), portion which become narrower in width toward the bottom thereof, and have a shape which is the narrowest in width at a lower end thereof.

2 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 1 ,

wherein an upper part of the first valve leaflet ( 5 ) and an upper part of the second valve leaflet ( 7 ) are connected at an upper part junction ( 11 ).

3 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first valve leaflet ( 5 ) or the second valve leaflet ( 7 ) is connected, when the circumference of the ring ( 3 ) is assumed as 100%, at portions in which the circumference of the ring ( 3 ) is 30% to 99%, both inclusive.

4 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 1 ,

wherein the ring ( 3 ) can be folded, and can be opened within the left atrium or the right atrium.

5 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 1 ,

wherein the ring has an annular shape having a diameter of 30 mm to 60 mm, both inclusive.

6 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 1 ,

wherein either one of the ring ( 3 ), the first valve leaflet ( 5 ) and the second valve leaflet ( 7 ) comprise a anchoring portion ( 13 ) for anchoring it to a left atrial wall or a right atrial wall.

7 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 6 ,

wherein the anchoring portion ( 13 ) is an adhering portion or portions to a left atrial wall or a right atrial wall, which is or are provided at either one of the first valve leaflet ( 5 ) and the second valve leaflet ( 7 ) or at the both valve leaflets.

8 . An artificial heart valve ( 1 ) comprising a valve leaflet securing portion ( 2 ), and at least one valve leaflet ( 4 ),

wherein the valve leaflet ( 4 ) is connected to the valve securing part ( 2 ) at an upper part of the artificial heart valve ( 1 ),

wherein the valve leaflet ( 4 ) has a part ( 47 ) which becomes narrower in width toward the bottom thereof, and

wherein the artificial heart valve is an artificial mitral valve or an artificial tricuspid valve.

9 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 8 ,

wherein the valve leaflet securing portion ( 2 ) is

(i) a ring ( 3 ), or

(ii) a securing end ( 14 ) attached to the valve leaflet ( 4 ).

10 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 8 ,

wherein the valve leaflet securing part ( 2 ) is provided with means for preventing the artificial mitral valve or the artificial tricuspid valve from passing therethrough.

11 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 8 ,

wherein the valve leaflet comprises a first valve leaflet ( 5 ), and a second valve leaflet ( 7 ),

wherein the first valve leaflet ( 5 ) and the second valve leaflet ( 7 ) are connected to the valve leaflet securing portion ( 2 ) at an upper part of the artificial heart valve ( 1 ),

wherein the first valve leaflet ( 5 ) and the second valve leaflet ( 7 ) are connected at a lower part junction ( 9 ) existing at a lower part of the artificial heart valve ( 1 ),

wherein the first valve leaflet ( 5 ) and the second valve leaflet ( 7 ) have portions which become narrower in width toward the bottom thereof, and

wherein the artificial heart valve is an artificial mitral valve or an artificial tricuspid valve.

12 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 11 ,

comprising an apical junction ( 10 ) in contact with a ventricular apex at the lower part junction ( 9 ) or below the lower part junction ( 9 ).

13 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 11 ,

wherein the valve leaflet securing part ( 2 ) is

(i) a ring ( 3 ), or

(ii) a first securing end ( 6 ) and a second securing end ( 7 ) which are respectively attached to an upper part of the first valve leaflet ( 5 ) and an upper part of the second valve leaflet ( 7 ).

14 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 11 ,

wherein either one of the valve leaflet securing part ( 2 ), the first valve leaflet ( 5 ) and the second valve leaflet ( 7 ) comprises a anchoring portion ( 13 ) for anchoring it to an atrial wall or an atrioventricular valve annulus.

15 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 14 ,

wherein the anchoring portion ( 13 ) is an adhering portion to the atrial wall or the atrioventricular valve annulus, which is or are provided at either one of the first valve leaflet ( 5 ) and the second valve leaflet ( 7 ) or at the both valve leaflets.

16 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 8 ,

further comprising, in either valve leaflet, a securing part ( 75 ) for connecting the valve leaflet and a ventricular wall or a papillary muscle.

17 . An artificial heart valve according to claim 11 ,

further comprising, in either valve leaflet, a securing part ( 75 ) for connecting the valve leaflet and a ventricular wall or a papillary muscle.