Collapsible/expandable prosthetic heart valves with native calcified leaflet retention features
A prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame that is adapted for (1) delivery into a patient's native heart valve annulus in a circumferentially collapsed condition, and (2) circumferential re-expansion when in the annulus, the frame, in an expanded condition. The frame having a longitudinal axis, an inflow end and an outflow end, a first portion of the frame adjacent the inflow end inclining radially outwardly in a direction toward the inflow end, and a second portion of the frame between the first portion and the outflow end bulging radially outwardly, the second portion of the frame being positioned between a first axial distance from the inflow end and a second axial distance from the inflow end. The frame also includes a plurality of commissure members. The heart valve further includes a flexible leaflet structure disposed in the frame.
1. A prosthetic heart valve comprising:
an annular frame that is adapted for (1) delivery into a patient's native heart valve annulus in a circumferentially collapsed condition, and (2) circumferential re-expansion when in the annulus, the frame, in an expanded condition, having a longitudinal axis, an inflow end and an outflow end, a first portion of the frame adjacent the inflow end inclining radially outwardly in a direction toward the inflow end, and a second portion of the frame between the first portion and the outflow end bulging radially outwardly, the second portion of the frame being positioned between a first axial distance from the inflow end and a second axial distance from the inflow end, the frame further having a first radius at an intersection of the first portion and the second portion, the second portion having a plurality of radii greater than the first radius, the frame also including a plurality of commissure members positioned between the first axial distance from the inflow end and the second axial distance from the inflow end; and
a flexible leaflet structure disposed in the frame.
2. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flexible leaflet structure includes three leaflets.
3. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the leaflets are formed from a biological tissue.
4. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flexible leaflet structure further includes an outer fabric cover.
5. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flexible leaflet structure is at least partially disposed within the first portion of the frame.
6. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flexible leaflet structure is at least partially disposed within the second portion of the frame.
7. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flexible leaflet structure is coupled to the frame at the plurality of commissure members.
8. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a plurality of struts forming cells.
9. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame is self-expanding.
10. A prosthetic valve, comprising:
a frame having an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the frame in the expanded configuration having a longitudinal axis, an inflow end and an outflow end, the frame having a first portion adjacent the inflow end inclining radially outward in a direction toward the inflow end, a second portion adjacent the outflow end, and a middle portion between the first and second portions, an intersection of the first portion with the middle portion defining a first radius from the longitudinal axis, and an intersection of the second portion with the middle portion defining a second radius from the longitudinal axis, all of a plurality of points on a surface of the middle portion having a radius from the longitudinal axis that is greater than the first radius and the second radius, the frame further including a plurality of commissure members at least partially disposed adjacent the middle portion; and
a valve assembly supported by the frame and coupled to the plurality of commissure members.
11. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the first portion inclines radially outwardly in a direction toward the inflow end.
12. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the valve assembly further includes an outer fabric cover.
13. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the valve assembly includes three leaflets.
14. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the leaflets are formed from a biological tissue.
15. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the frame includes a plurality of struts forming cells.
16. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the frame is self-expanding.
17. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the frame is balloon-expandable.
18. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the valve assembly is at least partially disposed within the middle portion.
19. The prosthetic valve as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the valve assembly is at least partially disposed within the first portion.