GB2241304A

GB2241304A - Artificial cardiac valve

Info

Publication number: GB2241304A
Application number: GB9101511A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roberto Parravicini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-01-25
Filing date: 1991-01-23
Publication date: 1991-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-23
Also published as: IT1238603B; GB2241304B; FR2657248B1; FR2657248A1; IT9019153A0; IT9019153A1; GB9101511D0

Abstract

An artificial cardiac valve comprises an annular valve body 1 provided with a pair of swinging valve elements 2. The annular body 1 comprises an inner ring element 10 to which there are coupled two outer half-ring elements 11 which form, in co-operation with the inner ring element 10, the pivot seats for the swinging valve element pair 2, which are shaped as a half of a conic surface and pivoted at the circumferential edge thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

Title - ARTIFICIAL CARDIAC VALVE The present invention relates to a highly reliable artificial cardiac valve.

As is known, conventional artificial cardiac valves usually comprise a pair of opposite valve elements which are swingably mounted so as to practically provide a one-way valve, that is a valve which is opened into a direction under the blood flow and automatically closes as the blood flows in the opposite direction.

However, these conventional valves are scarcely reliable which can bring about deleterious effects for a patient.

Moreover, conventional artificial cardiac valves are very complex construction-wise which negatively affects a safe operation thereof.

Thus, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing an artificial cardiac valve which is so designed as to always provide a reliable connection between the two valve elements thereof and the valve supporting body, with a consequent very high safety and accuracy of operation.

Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such an artificial cardiac valve which comprises a very reduced number of component elements which can be easily and quickly assembled.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an artificial cardiac valve which is very reliable in operation and can be made starting from easily available elements and materials.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a highly reliable artificial cardiac valve comprising a valve annular body, including a pair of swinging valve elements, characterized in that said annular body includes an inner ring element to which there are coupled two outer half-ring elements which define, in cooperation with said inner ring element, pivoting seats for said pair of swinging valve elements, and being substantially shaped as a half of a conic surface and being pivoted at the circumferential edge thereof.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed description of a preferr ed, though not exclusive, embodiment, of a highly reliable artificial cardiac valve, according to the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is an exploded schematic perspective view showing the main component parts of the artificial cardiac valve according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the pivotal connection of a valve element to a valve annular body; Figure 3 is a plan view showing the subject artificial cardiac valve; Figure 4 is an elevation partially crosssectioned view of the subject artificial cardiac valve, in which a valve element thereof is shown in its opened condition; and Figure 5 is a schematic partially crosssectioned view showing the subject cardiac valve with the valve elements thereof in a closed condition.

With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, the highly reliable artificial cardiac valve according to the invention comprises an annular valve body, overally indicated at the reference number 1, to which there are pivoted two swinging valve elements 2.

The annular body 1 comprises an inner ring element 10 to the outer periphery of which there are coupled a pair of outer half-ring elements 11.

More specifically, the inner ring element comprises an inner cylindrical body 20 having, at its end opposite to the coupling and of the valve elements, a flange 21 operating as a supporting edge for the axial end portions of the half-ring elements 11 which, on their opposite side, are provided with a projecting edge 22.

As shown, the half-ring elements 11 are arranged within a recess 25 formed on the outer surface of the inner ring element, which has a perfectly smooth inner surface.

A main feature of the present invention is that the inner ring element is provided with substantially radially extending lugs, indicated at the reference number 30, which form, in cooperation with the outer half-ring elements 11, the pivoting seats for the mentioned valve elements.

More specifically, the mentioned lugs 30 com- prise recesses 31 for housing a cross-enlarged portion 35 arranged at the end portion of a lug 36 which is rigidly coupled to the circumferential peripheral edge of the valve elements 2, which are advantageously shaped as a half conical surface.

Thus, a cardiac valve is provided which, in its inside, does not present any restricted portion susceptible to hinder the blood flow or the swinging movement of the valve elements 2.

Moreover, owing to the disclosed connection, the valve element pivoting seats are provided with a stop or restraining element for restraining the swinging movement of the valve elements 2, which valve elements, during the closing movements thereof will overlay the axial edge of the inner ring element so as to provide a perfect closure.

Accordingly, the disclosed artificial cardiac valve is very reliable in operation.

While the invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiment is susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A highly reliable artificial cardiac valve comprising a valve annular body, including a pair of swinging valve elements, characterized in that said annular body includes an inner ring element to which there are coupled two outer half-ring elements which define, in cooperation with said inner ring element, pivoting seats for said pair of swinging valve elements, and being substantially shaped as a half of a conic surface and being pivoted at the circumferential edge thereof.

2. An artificial cardiac valve according to claim 1, characterized in that said inner ring element has a substantially cylindrical and smooth inner surface which, at the bottom thereof, ends with a flange arranged at the opposite end to the valve element pivoting end portion.

3. An artificial cardiac valve according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said inner ring element is provided, on its outer surface, with a recess for housing said half-ring elements.

4. An artificial cardiac valve according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said half-ring elements are provided, near the end portions thereof facing said valve elements, with a projecting edge.

5. An artificial cardiac valve according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pivoting seats comprise lug pairs which radially extend from said inner ring element and are provided with opposite recesses for housing a cross projecting portion coupled to a lug element associated with the circumferential edge of said valve elements.

6. An artificial cardiac valve according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said valve elements, in the closing condition thereof, have their circumferential edge overlaying, at least partially, an axial end portion of said inner ring element.

7. An artificial cardiac valve according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said projecting edge is adapted to operate as a stop element for the swinging opening movement of said valve elements.

8. An artificial cardiac valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.