Multi-lobed frame based unidirectional flow prosthetic implant

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medical device, and in particular, to a stent-based valve. The valve has a radially expandable structural frame having a substantially cylindrical configuration with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between. The structural frame is formed from a lattice of interconnected elements and has a plurality of distal crowns. A biocompatible membrane assembly maintaining a substantially cylindrical shape about the longitudinal axis is attached to the structural frame such that the structural frame supports the biocompatible membrane assembly in a slack condition between the distal crowns.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A prosthetic valve comprising: 
 a radially expandable structural frame having a plurality of distal crowns, the structural frame being formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and having a substantially cylindrical configuration with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between;    a tubular biocompatible membrane coaxially disposed over at least a portion of the structural frame such that the structural frame supports the biocompatible membrane assembly in a slack condition between the distal crowns.    
     
     
         2 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 1  wherein the structural frame further comprises a valve strut attached to at least one of the distal crowns and extending in a distal direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         3 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 1  wherein the distal crowns are articulating.  
     
     
         4 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 1  wherein the biocompatible membrane assembly extends in a distal direction past the distal crowns.  
     
     
         5 . A prosthetic valve comprising: 
 a radially expandable structural frame having a plurality of distal crowns, the structural frame being formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and having a substantially cylindrical configuration with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between;    a tubular biocompatible membrane coaxially disposed over at least a portion of the structural frame such that the structural frame supports the biocompatible membrane assembly in a flexible condition between the distal crowns.    
     
     
         6 . A prosthetic valve comprising: 
 a substantially cylindrical structural frame having a hoop structure, the hoop structure having a plurality of distal crowns;    a substantially cylindrical biocompatible membrane assembly coaxially disposed over the structural frame such that the structural frame supports the biocompatible membrane assembly in a slack condition between the distal crowns.    
     
     
         7 . A prosthetic valve having a radially expandable structural frame comprising: 
 a cylindrical hoop structure having a plurality of distal and proximal crowns;    a proximal anchor formed from a lattice of interconnected elements and having a substantially cylindrical configurations;    one or more connecting members, the one or more connecting members having a first and a second end, the first end of each connecting member being attached to the proximal anchor and the second end of each connecting member being attached to the hoop structure; and    a substantially cylindrical biocompatible membrane assembly attached to the proximal anchor and extending distally along the one or more connecting members to the distal crowns, such that the distal crowns.