Esophageal valve device for placing in the cardia

Abstract

A luminal valve for placing in a body lumen comprises at least four valve leaflets. The valve has a normally closed configuration in which the leaflets are engaged and an open configuration in which the leaflets are open. The valve may be mounted to an esophageal support.

1 . A luminal valve for placing in a body lumen comprising at least four valve leaflets, the valve having a normally closed configuration in which the leaflets are engaged and an open configuration in which the leaflets are open. 
     
     
         2 . A luminal valve as claimed in  claim 1  comprising at least five valve leaflets. 
     
     
         3 . A luminal valve as claimed in  claim 1  comprising six valve leaflets. 
     
     
         4 . A luminal valve as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the valve is an esophageal valve. 
     
     
         5 . A valve as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the valve has an antegrade open configuration in which the valve leaflets are opened in response to an antegrade force to allow flow through the valve and a retrograde open configuration in response to a retrograde force which is substantially larger than the antegrade force. 
     
     
         6 . A valve as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the valve comprises a valve body of polymeric material. 
     
     
         7 . A valve as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the valve comprises an outer support region. 
     
     
         8 . A valve as claimed in  claim 7  comprising a main body region extending between the support region and the valve leaflets. 
     
     
         9 . A valve as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the main body region is generally concave between the outer support region and a region of co-aption of the valve leaflets. 
     
     
         10 . A valve as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the valve leaflets and at least portion of the main body region inverts to allow flow in the retrograde direction. 
     
     
         11 - 53 . (canceled)