Tissue material and process for bioprosthesis
A biomaterial useful for bioprostheses such as bioprosthetic heart valves is provided in which the fixed tissue has improved elastic properties. The high elastin-containing biomaterial is further characterized by having anisotropic properties wherein the biological material has a greater stiffness in one direction and a greater elasticity in a cross direction. For instance, the biological material has an elastin content of about 30% by weight. In one embodiment, the biological material is vena cava tissue.
1. A bioprosthetic heart valve comprising:
a fixed tissue having an elastin content of at least about 10% by weight of the tissue, wherein the tissue is vena cava tissue; and
a support structure selected from the group consisting of a suture ring and a stent to support the tissue of said bioprosthetic heart valve.
2. The bioprosthetic heart valve of claim 1 , wherein the tissue has an elastin content of at least about 30% by weight of the tissue.
3. The bioprosthetic heart valve of claim 1 , wherein the tissue is porcine vena cava tissue.
4. The bioprosthetic heart valve of claim 1 , wherein the bioprosthetic heart valve is a tricuspid heart valve.
5. The bioprosthetic heart valve of claim 1 , wherein the bioprosthetic heart valve is a bicuspid heart valve.