Artificial valve prosthesis with improved flow dynamics

Abstract

An expandable venous valve having a support structure configured to enlarge the area adjacent the valve structure. The enlarged pocket areas can be created by forming an artificial sinus adjacent the valve structure in an unsupported section of vessel wall between two support frame sections.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
   
   
       30 . A radially expandable artificial valve prosthesis for implantation in a vessel having a vessel wall, comprising:
 a support structure, comprising:
 a proximal section comprising a first radially expandable anchoring portion having a plurality of struts interconnected by bends; 
 a distal section comprising a second radially expandable anchoring portion having a plurality of struts interconnected by bends; 
 the proximal and distal sections spaced apart from one another to define an intermediate section disposed between the proximal and distal sections, the intermediate section comprising a substantially open section of the support structure; 
 a first connection strut connected with the proximal and distal sections and spanning the intermediate section; and 
 a second connection strut connected with the proximal and distal sections and spanning the intermediate section; and 
   a valve structure attached to the support structure and configured to selectively restrict fluid flow through the support structure by closing with changes in the fluid pressure differential across said valve prosthesis.   
   
   
       31 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the valve structure is situated in the intermediate section of the support structure. 
   
   
       32 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 31 , wherein the intermediate section has a first length the extends along a lengthwise axis of said valve prosthesis;
 wherein the valve structure has a second length that extends along the lengthwise axis of said valve prosthesis; and   wherein the first length is greater than the second length.   
   
   
       33 . The radially expandable artificial valve prosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the proximal section defines a first circumference and the first connection strut is connected with a first attachment point on the first circumference; and
 wherein the distal section defines a second circumference and the first connection strut is connected with a second attachment point on the second circumference; and   wherein the first and second attachment points lie on a first longitudinal axis of said artificial valve prosthesis.   
   
   
       34 . The radially expandable artificial valve prosthesis of  claim 33 , wherein the second connection strut is connected with a third attachment point on the first circumference; and
 wherein the second connection strut is connected with a fourth attachment point on the second circumference; and   wherein the third and fourth attachment points lie on a second longitudinal axis of said artificial valve prosthesis that is different than the first longitudinal axis.   
   
   
       35 . The radially expandable artificial valve prosthesis of  claim 34 , wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are disposed substantially opposite each other with respect to a centrally-disposed longitudinal axis of said valve prosthesis. 
   
   
       36 . The radially expandable artificial valve prosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the proximal section defines a first circumference and the first connection strut is connected with a first attachment point on the first circumference; and
 wherein the distal section defines a second circumference and the first connection strut is connected with a second attachment point on the second circumference; and   wherein the first attachment point lies on a first longitudinal axis of said artificial valve prosthesis and the second attachment point lies on a second, different longitudinal axis of said valve prosthesis.   
   
   
       37 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 36 , wherein the first and second attachment points are approximately 90° out of phase with each other relative to a centrally-disposed longitudinal axis of said valve prosthesis. 
   
   
       38 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 36 , wherein the second connection strut is connected with the first attachment point on the first circumference and a third attachment point on the second circumference;
 wherein the third attachment point lies on a third, different longitudinal axis of said artificial valve prosthesis.   
   
   
       39 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the first and second connection struts comprise linear struts disposed substantially opposite each other with respect to a centrally-disposed longitudinal axis of said valve prosthesis. 
   
   
       40 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the intermediate section includes interconnecting structure consisting of the first and second connection struts. 
   
   
       41 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the valve structure is attached to the first and second connection struts. 
   
   
       42 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the valve structure comprises a single leaflet. 
   
   
       43 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the valve structure comprises two leaflets. 
   
   
       44 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the valve structure comprises a synthetic material. 
   
   
       45 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 44 , wherein the valve structure comprises DACRON. 
   
   
       46 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 44 , wherein the valve structure comprises ePTFE. 
   
   
       47 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the valve structure comprises a biologically-derived material. 
   
   
       48 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 47 , wherein the valve structure comprises a bioremodellable material. 
   
   
       49 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 48 , wherein the valve structure comprises an extracellular matrix material. 
   
   
       50 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 49 , wherein the valve structure comprises small intestine submucosa. 
   
   
       51 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the support structure comprises a metal. 
   
   
       52 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 51 , wherein the support structure comprises stainless steel. 
   
   
       53 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 51 , wherein the support structure comprises a superelastic material. 
   
   
       54 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 53 , wherein the superelastic material comprises nitinol. 
   
   
       55 . The radially expandable valve prosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the support structure comprises a polymeric material. 
   
   
       56 . A radially expandable artificial valve prosthesis for implantation in a vessel having a vessel wall, comprising:
 a support structure, comprising:
 a proximal section comprising a first radially expandable anchoring portion having a plurality of struts interconnected by bends and defining a first circumference; 
 a distal section comprising a second radially expandable anchoring portion having a plurality of struts interconnected by bends and defining a second circumference; 
 the proximal and distal sections spaced apart from one another to define an intermediate section disposed between the proximal and distal sections, the intermediate section comprising a substantially open section of the support structure; and 
 first and second connection struts spanning the intermediate section and connected with the proximal and distal sections, each of the first and second connection struts connected with a first attachment point on the first circumference; and 
   a valve structure attached to the support structure and configured to selectively restrict fluid flow through the support structure by closing with changes in the fluid pressure differential across said valve prosthesis.   
   
   
       57 . A radially expandable artificial valve prosthesis for implantation in a vessel having a vessel wall, comprising:
 a support structure, comprising:
 a proximal section comprising a first radially expandable anchoring portion having a plurality of struts interconnected by bends and defining a first circumference; 
 a distal section comprising a second radially expandable anchoring portion having a plurality of struts interconnected by bends and defining a second circumference; 
 the proximal and distal sections spaced apart from one another to define an intermediate section disposed between the proximal and distal sections, the intermediate section comprising a substantially open section of the support structure; and 
 first and second curvilinear connection struts spanning the intermediate section and connected with the proximal and distal sections, each of the first and second curvilinear connection struts connected with a first attachment point on the first circumference and a second attachment point on the second circumference; and 
   a valve structure attached to the support structure and configured to selectively restrict fluid flow through the support structure by closing with changes in the fluid pressure differential across said valve prosthesis.