Implantable Valve Prosthesis

Abstract

The present invention provides valve prostheses adapted to be initially crimped in a narrow configuration suitable for catheterization through body ducts to a target location and adapted to be deployed by exerting substantially radial forces from within by means of a deployment device to a deployed state in the target location.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A prosthetic valve assembly comprising:
 an expandable annular stent frame;   a valve attached to the expandable annular stent frame; and   a seal attached to an outer surface of the expandable annular stent frame, wherein the seal comprises a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion, the first cylindrical portion having greater thickness than the second cylindrical portion, wherein the first cylindrical portion is disposed adjacent the second cylindrical portion, and wherein a radial lip is defined by an interface of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion.   
     
     
         3 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 2  wherein the seal comprises a material configured to facilitate tissue ingrowth. 
     
     
         4 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 2  wherein the seal comprises a cloth material. 
     
     
         5 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 2  wherein the expandable annular stent frame comprises a material selected from the group consisting of memory shaped metals, memory shaped polymers, biocompatible stainless steel and polymeric material. 
     
     
         6 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 2  wherein the expandable annular stent frame comprises polyethylene terphthalene. 
     
     
         7 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 2  wherein the valve comprises at least two leaflets. 
     
     
         8 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 7  wherein the leaflets comprise a material selected from the group consisting of natural tissue and biocompatible materials. 
     
     
         9 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 8  wherein the natural tissue is pericardial tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 8  wherein the biocompatible material is polyurethane. 
     
     
         11 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 2  wherein the expandable annular stent frame is configured to be radially collapsible to a diameter of 4-25 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 2  wherein the expandable annular stent frame is configured to be radially expandable to a diameter of 10-33 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 2  wherein the valve has a generally tubular shape. 
     
     
         14 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 13  wherein the valve has an outer diameter that is 1-5 mm smaller than an inner diameter of the expandable annular stent frame. 
     
     
         15 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 2  wherein the valve comprises a tricuspid configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 2  wherein the expandable annular stent frame has at least one marker configured to track and determine position and orientation of the prosthetic valve assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 16  wherein the at least one marker comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, iridium, tantalum, cobalt, chrome and titanium alloys. 
     
     
         18 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 2  wherein the valve has a radio-opaque material configured to facilitate in vivo tracking of the prosthetic valve assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 18  wherein the radio-opaque material comprises gold thread. 
     
     
         20 . The prosthetic valve assembly of  claim 2  wherein the seal comprises a cuff. 
     
     
         21 . A prosthetic valve assembly comprising:
 an expandable annular stent frame;   a valve assembly attached to the expandable annular stent frame; and   a seal member attached to an outer surface of the expandable annular stent frame, wherein the seal member comprises a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion, the first cylindrical portion having greater thickness than the second cylindrical portion, wherein the first cylindrical portion is disposed downstream of the second cylindrical portion, and wherein a radial lip is defined by an interface of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion.