Prosthetic Heart Valves, Support Structures and Systems and Methods for Implanting the Same

Abstract

Described herein are systems and methods for operation of a prosthetic valve support structure ( 32 ) having additional reinforcement coupled with panels ( 36 ). Multiple support members ( 620 ) are distributed across the inner surface of the valve support structure ( 32 ) at regular intervals. Each support member ( 620 ) can include a looped portion ( 621 ) to act as a hinge ( 52 ). Each looped portion ( 621 ) is in a location coincidental with the interlace between adjacent panels ( 36 ).

1 . A prosthetic valve device, comprising:
 a valve support structure comprising a plurality of deflectable panel sections and at least one hinge located between two adjacent panel sections.   
     
     
         2 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge comprises at least one of a living hinge and a wire loop. 
     
     
         3 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcement member coupled to at least one panel. 
     
     
         4 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 1 , wherein the valve support structure comprises three deflectable panel sections arranged in sequence about the periphery of the support structure, a hinge located between each two adjacent panel sections and a reinforcement member coupled with at least one panel. 
     
     
         5 . A prosthetic valve device, comprising:
 a valve support structure comprising a first layer and a second layer.   
     
     
         6 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 5 , further comprising an intermediate layer located between the first and second layers. 
     
     
         7 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 6 , wherein the valve support structure comprises a hinge, the hinge corresponding to a gap in at least one of the first, second and intermediate layers. 
     
     
         8 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 6 , wherein the valve support structure comprises a hinge, the hinge corresponding to a relatively thin portion of at least one of the first, second and intermediate layers. 
     
     
         9 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 6 , wherein the valve support structure comprises a stress reduction portion. 
     
     
         10 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 6 , wherein a gap exists in the intermediate layer, the gap being oriented axially along a longitudinal axis of the support structure. 
     
     
         11 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 6 , wherein a gap exists in at least one of the first and second layers. 
     
     
         12 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first and second layers has a variable thickness. 
     
     
         13 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 5 , wherein the second layer is an outer layer, the outer layer comprising a plurality of apertures configured to allow tissue invagination. fixably coupled together. 
     
     
         14 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 5 , wherein the first layer and second layer are removably coupled together. 
     
     
         15 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 5 , wherein the second layer is configured to nest with the first layer. 
     
     
         16 . A prosthetic valve device, comprising:
 a valve support structure comprising a first region having a first thickness and a second region having a second thickness, the first thickness being relatively less than the second thickness.   
     
     
         17 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 16 , wherein the first region is at least in part configured to allow placement of a valve leaflet. 
     
     
         18 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 16 , wherein the difference in thickness between the first and second thicknesses corresponds to the thickness of a valve leaflet. 
     
     
         19 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 16 , wherein the first region extends along the axial length of the valve support structure. 
     
     
         20 . A prosthetic valve device, comprising:
 a valve support structure comprising a plurality of deflectable panels, the support structure being transitionable from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration, wherein the support structure has a generally tubular configuration in the deployed configuration; and   a panel expansion member configured to facilitate deflection of at least one panel.   
     
     
         21 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 20 , wherein the expansion member is spring-like and coupled to at least two adjacent panel sections. 
     
     
         22 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 20 , wherein the expansion member is a first expansion member, the device further comprising a second expansion member and a third expansion member. 
     
     
         23 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 20 , wherein the expansion member is configured as a covering. 
     
     
         24 . The prosthetic valve device of  claim 23 , further comprising a tether coupled with the expansion member and the panel section, wherein the expansion member is slidably coupled to a panel section.