Prosthetic valve with downstream covering

Abstract

A prosthetic valve includes a frame, at least one valve member, and a covering. The frame defines a tubular valve body, has a downstream portion, and is shaped to define a continuous lumen through the valve body and the downstream portion. The at least one valve member is disposed within the lumen, and is configured to facilitate unidirectional flow of blood from an upstream end of the valve body to the downstream portion. The covering lines an inner surface of the frame, and extends around a downstream end of the frame to be disposed over an outer surface of the downstream portion.

1 . Apparatus, for use at a native valve of a heart of a subject, the apparatus comprising a prosthetic valve that comprises:
 a frame, shaped to define a tubular valve body, having a downstream portion, and shaped to define a continuous lumen through the valve body and the downstream portion;   at least one valve member, disposed within the lumen, and configured to facilitate unidirectional flow of blood of the subject from an upstream end of the valve body to the downstream portion; and   a covering, lining an inner surface of the frame, and extending around a downstream end of the frame to be disposed over an outer surface of the downstream portion.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a prosthetic valve support that comprises an annular upstream support portion, the prosthetic valve support being configured to be delivered to the native valve independently of the prosthetic valve, and being shaped to define an opening that is configured to receive the prosthetic valve, the prosthetic valve support being configured to facilitate securing of the prosthetic valve at the native valve by the frame being expanded within the opening such that the frame applies a radially-expansive force against the upstream support portion. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one valve member is coupled to the downstream portion. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heart of the subject includes a plurality of papillary muscles, and wherein at least part of the downstream portion is configured to be placed in contact with at least one of the papillary muscles. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the downstream portion comprises one or more protrusions, each protrusion extending away from the downstream end of the valve body. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the valve body has a longitudinal axis therethrough, and comprises a circumferential lateral wall that defines a curved plane that circumscribes the longitudinal axis, and wherein the protrusions lie on the plane. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein each protrusion has a transverse cross-sectional shape of an arc, and wherein the arc of each protrusion lies on the curved plane defined by the valve body.