Annular Prosthesis for a Mitral Valve

Abstract

An annular prosthesis for a mitral valve that may include a posterior half-ring and an anterior half-ring coupled to each other on a first transverse plane which defines a maximum width section of the prosthesis. The ratio between the distance between the anterior half-ring and the posterior half-ring, as measured along a second plane, perpendicular to the first plane and equidistant to the couplings, and the maximum width of the prosthesis is lower than ¾.

1 . An annular prosthetic ring for a mitral valve comprising:
 a curved posterior section contiguous with a generally rectilinear anterior section and together forming a generally D-shaped periphery oriented about a central flow axis, wherein in plan view as seen along the flow axis the ring has an anterior axis parallel to the generally rectilinear anterior section, said anterior axis defining the maximum width of the ring, and an axis transverse to the anterior axis that defines the height of the ring and wherein the maximum width of the ring is maintained equal to the maximum width of conventional rings but the height of the ring is substantially less than the height of conventional rings.   
   
   
       2 . The annular prosthetic ring of claim wherein the height of the ring is such that the ratio of the height of the ring to the maximum width of the ring is less than about 0.625. 
   
   
       3 . The annular prosthetic ring of  claim 3  wherein the ratio of the height of the ring to the maximum width of the ring is less than about 0.5.