Prosthetic valve with natural blood flow
A prosthetic valve may be formed to direct flow out of the outflow orifice toward a posterior portion of a heart wall. The prosthetic valve includes an expandable frame which may be covered with a cover that is suturelessly attached to the frame. The prosthetic valve may also include an outflow orifice size which is controlled. Methods of using these devices are also disclosed.
1. A prosthetic valve comprising:
a radially expandable frame comprising:
an annular region defining a longitudinal axis;
an atrial flange extending from a first end of the annular region;
a ventricular skirt extending from a second end of the annular region; and
at least one anchor tab;
a covering disposed along at least a portion of the annular region; and
at least one leaflet disposed within the radially expandable frame, the at least one leaflet being angled relative to the longitudinal axis;
wherein:
the at least one leaflet comprises an anterior leaflet configured to direct blood flow therethrough toward a posterior wall of a heart of a patient;
the at least one leaflet comprises a posterior leaflet that is shorter in length than the anterior leaflet;
one of the posterior leaflet and anterior leaflet is immobile; and another of the posterior leaflet and anterior leaflet is mobile.
2. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the covering is disposed on the ventricular skirt.
3. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the covering is disposed on an exterior of the radially expandable frame.
4. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the at least one leaflet is made of a flexible material.
5. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein:
an inflow edge of the anterior leaflet is disposed more anteriorly than an outflow edge; and
the outflow edge of the anterior leaflet is disposed more posteriorly than the inflow edge.
6. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the anterior leaflet is arcuate so as to form a concave portion facing radially inward relative to the longitudinal axis.
7. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the annular region is D-shaped.
8. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the posterior leaflet is smaller in width than the anterior leaflet.
9. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein:
an outflow edge of the posterior leaflet extends axially away from the radially expandable frame; and
an outflow edge of the anterior leaflet extends at an angle from an anterior side of the radially expandable frame to a posterior side of the radially expandable frame.
10. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the at least one leaflet is coupled to a commissure post.
11. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the at least one leaflet is angled so as to be configured to direct blood flow toward a posterior wall of a heart into which the prosthetic valve is to be implanted.
12. The prosthetic valve of claim 1 , wherein the at least one leaflet is offset toward a posterior side of device relative to the longitudinal axis.
13. A method for deploying a prosthetic valve in a heart of a patient, said method comprising:
providing a prosthetic valve having a radially expandable frame with an annular region defining a longitudinal axis, an atrial flange adjacent a first end of the annular region, a prosthetic valve mechanism having an outflow orifice adjacent a second end of the annular region opposite the first end, a ventricular skirt adjacent the second end, at least one anchor tab and a covering disposed along at least a portion of the annular region;
radially expanding the frame into engagement with a native valve in the heart of the patient; and
directing fluid flow through the prosthetic valve mechanism and out the outflow orifice toward a posterior portion of the patient's heart via one or more leaflets disposed within the radially expandable frame;
wherein:
the one or more leaflets comprises an anterior leaflet configured to direct blood flow therethrough toward a posterior wall of a heart of a patient;
the one or more leaflets comprises a posterior leaflet that is shorter in length than the anterior leaflet;
one of the posterior leaflet and anterior leaflet is immobile; and
another of the posterior leaflet and anterior leaflet is mobile.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein directing fluid flow through the prosthetic valve mechanism and out the outflow orifice toward a posterior portion of the patient's heart via one or more leaflets disposed within the radially expandable frame comprises:
curving the fluid flow with the one or more leaflets.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein directing fluid flow through the prosthetic valve mechanism and out the outflow orifice toward a posterior portion of the patients heart via one or more leaflets disposed within the radially expandable frame comprises:
moving at least one of the one or more leaflets.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein directing fluid flow through the prosthetic valve mechanism and out the outflow orifice toward a posterior portion of the patient's heart via one or more leaflets disposed within the radially expandable frame comprises:
directing fluid flow between the anterior leaflet and the posterior leaflet.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein:
the frame is D-shaped in cross-section when expanded; and
the anterior leaflet and posterior leaflet form a circular cross-sectional area.