Valved conduit with expandable frame
Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include a valved conduit. The valved conduit may include a frame element arranged within the conduit and one or more expansion elements configured to spread apart to radially expand the frame.
1 . A valved conduit comprising:
a conduit having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
a frame element arranged within the conduit and having commissure posts arranged about the frame element, the frame element having a first diameter in a first configuration and configured to support a valve structure having leaflets configured to open to permit flow and close to occlude a conduit lumen and prevent flow in response to differential fluid pressure and to expand to a second, larger diameter in a second configuration in response to a force applied to an interior portion of the frame element; and
one or more expansion elements arranged between or adjacent to the commissure posts and configured to spread apart to radially expand the frame element in transitioning from the first configuration to the second configuration;
wherein the frame element includes a first circular rim and a second circular rim connected by the commissure posts; and
wherein the one or more expansion elements are one or more first expansion elements forming portions of the first circular rim and the valved conduit further includes one or more second expansion elements forming portions of the second circular rim.
2 . The valved conduit of claim 1 , wherein the frame element is configured to house a second valve structure therein in the second configuration.
3 . The valved conduit of claim 1 , wherein the one or more first expansion elements extend toward the second circular rim.
4 . The valved conduit of claim 3 , wherein the one or more first expansion elements each include a first linear portion, a second linear portion, and a curved portion.
5 . The valved conduit of claim 4 , wherein the first linear portion and the second linear portion extend substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the frame element in the first configuration and are configured to angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the frame element in the second configuration.
6 . The valved conduit of claim 5 , wherein the one or more first expansion elements are arranged between the commissure posts.
7 . The valved conduit of claim 5 , wherein the one or more first expansion elements are arranged adjacent to the commissure posts.
8 . The valved conduit of claim 5 , wherein the one or more first expansion elements are arranged between portions of the commissure posts.
9 . The valved conduit of claim 5 , wherein the one or more first expansion elements includes a plurality of first expansion elements arranged between portions of each of the commissure posts.
10 . The valved conduit of claim 1 , wherein the one or more first expansion elements and the one or more second expansion elements are configured to increase a diameter of the frame element.
11 . A valved conduit for housing a first valve structure and allowing expansion for housing a second valve structure, the valved conduit comprising:
a conduit having an interior surface and an exterior surface; and
a frame element arranged within the conduit including a first diameter in a first configuration and configured to support the first valve structure having leaflets configured to open to permit flow and close to occlude a conduit lumen and prevent flow in response to differential fluid pressure, the frame element having:
a first circular rim,
a second circular rim,
commissure posts arranged about the frame element and connecting the first circular rim and the second circular rim,
one or more first expansion elements arranged between or adjacent to the commissure posts along the first circular rim, and
one or more second expansion elements arranged between or adjacent to the commissure posts along the second circular rim, wherein the one or more first expansion elements and the one or more second expansion elements are configured to spread apart to radially expand the frame element in transitioning between the first configuration and a second, larger diameter in a second configuration to support the second valve structure having leaflets in response to a force applied to an interior portion of the frame element.
12 . The valved conduit of claim 11 , wherein the frame element is configured to deform to maintain gaps between the leaflets of the second valve structure.
13 . The valved conduit of claim 11 , wherein the one or more first expansion elements and the one or more second expansion elements are configured to hold the frame element in the second configuration at the second diameter.
14 . The valved conduit of claim 11 , wherein the one or more first expansion elements and the one or more second expansion elements are configured to expand in a sloped manner to radially expand the frame element.