Implantable valve device
Valve devices, methods of making valve devices, and methods of treating various venous-related conditions, disorders and/or diseases are described. In one embodiment, a valve device includes an expandable support frame and a bioprosthetic valve attached to the support frame. The bioprosthetic valve comprises a leaflet and a contiguous wall portion harvested from a multi-leaflet xenogeneic valve. The contiguous wall portion includes the attachment region where the leaflets attaches to the vessel wall and, in some embodiments, includes the natural margins of attachment between the leaflet and vessel wall.
1. A support frame having a longitudinal axis and comprising:
one or more struts, a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first connector segment, a second connector segment, and a third connector segment, the proximal portion and the distal portion connected by the first connector segment, the second connector segment, and the third connector segment;
the first connector segment and the second connector segment substantially parallel to each other, the third connector segment disposed circumferentially between the first connector segment and the second connector segment with respect to said longitudinal axis, each of the first connector segment, the second connector segment, and the third connector segment including substantially straight first and second struts and a curved portion extending from the first strut to the second strut, the first strut of the third connector segment disposed circumferentially between the first connector segment and the second strut of the third connector segment with respect to said longitudinal axis, the second strut of the third connector segment disposed circumferentially between the second connector segment and the first strut of the third connector segment with respect to said longitudinal axis;
the proximal portion defining a first serpentine path including a first set of struts of the one or more struts and a first plurality of bends, a first terminal bend of the first plurality of bends directed away from the distal portion and having a first peak disposed at a first axial location with respect to said longitudinal axis, a second terminal bend of the first plurality of bends directed away from the distal portion and having a second peak disposed at a second axial location with respect to said longitudinal axis that is different than the first axial location, a first strut of the first set of struts extending along a plane that intersects said longitudinal axis;
the distal portion defining a second serpentine path including a second set of struts of the one or more struts and a second plurality of bends; and
a window portion free of the one or more struts, the window portion extending from the first connector segment to the second connector segment and disposed substantially opposite the third connector segment.
2. The support frame of claim 1 , wherein said support frame includes only three connector segments.
3. The support frame of claim 1 , wherein the first strut of the first set of struts extends toward a bend of the first plurality of bends.
4. The support frame of claim 3 , wherein the bend of the first plurality of bends is disposed a first distance from said longitudinal axis; and
wherein the curved portion of the third connector segment is disposed a second distance from said longitudinal axis that is different than the first distance.
5. The support frame of claim 4 , wherein said support frame includes only three connector segments.
6. The support frame of claim 1 , wherein a first strut of the second set of struts extends toward a first terminal bend of the second plurality of bends.
7. The support frame of claim 6 , wherein the first strut of the second set of struts extends away from the first connector segment.
8. The support frame of claim 7 , wherein the first strut of the second set of struts extends away from said longitudinal axis.
9. The support frame of claim 8 , wherein the first terminal bend of the second plurality of bends is disposed a first distance from said longitudinal axis; and
wherein the curved portion of the first connector segment is disposed a second distance from said longitudinal axis that is different than the first distance.
10. The support frame of claim 9 , wherein said support frame includes only three connector segments.
11. The support frame of claim 1 , wherein said support frame has a circumference;
wherein the first serpentine path extends around the circumference; and
wherein the second serpentine path extends around the circumference.
12. The support frame of claim 1 , wherein said support frame is self-expandable.
13. The support frame of claim 1 , wherein said support frame is formed of a biocompatible material.
14. The support frame of claim 1 , wherein said support frame is formed of a nickel titanium alloy.