Prosthetic device for a heart valve

Abstract

A prosthetic device for a heart valve comprises a valve portion with prosthetic leaflets capable of reproducing the function of the valve leaflets of a native heart valve, expandable from a collapsed configuration for implantation to a working expanded configuration. The prosthetic device comprises also a containment portion which surrounds the valve portion to contain its expansion in the working expanded configuration. The prosthetic device comprises also a connecting portion which stably connects the valve portion to the containment portion through connecting elements. The containment portion has sub-components with joint mechanisms which allow them to be deformed elastically in a straight configuration.

1 . A prosthetic device for a heart valve, comprising:
 a valve portion with prosthetic leaflets capable of reproducing the function of the valve leaflets of a native heart valve, expandable from a collapsed configuration for implantation to a working expanded configuration;   a containment portion which surrounds the valve portion to contain expansion of the valve portion in the working expanded configuration; and   a connecting portion which stably connects the valve portion to the containment portion through connecting elements, wherein the containment portion has sub-components with joint mechanisms which allow the sub-components to be deformed elastically in a straight configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The prosthetic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the joint mechanisms comprise a unidirectional elastic joint. 
     
     
         3 . The prosthetic device according to  claim 2 , wherein each sub-component has two ends connected to a central section of the sub-component through a transition zone which acts as the unidirectional joint, allowing in one way the realignment of the ends on the same plane of the remaining portion of the sub-component, and, in the opposite direction, preventing a deflection greater than of 90° between the main plane of the sub-component and a longitudinal axis of the prosthetic device, once the sub-component has been connected to the valve portion of the prosthetic device. 
     
     
         4 . The prosthetic device according to  claim 1 , wherein each sub-component has two ends connected to a central section of the sub-component through a transition zone which acts as a unidirectional joint, allowing in one way the realignment of the ends on the same plane of the remaining portion of the sub-component, and, in the opposite direction, preventing a deflection greater than of 90° between the main plane of the sub-component and a longitudinal axis of the prosthetic device, once the sub-component has been connected to the valve portion of the prosthetic device. 
     
     
         5 . The prosthetic device according to  claim 4 , wherein each end of each sub-component is connected to the rest of the sub-component structure by a couple of coils, created directly in a wall of the tubular body of the sub-component, shaped in such a way as to act as an angular spring. 
     
     
         6 . The prosthetic device according to  claim 5 , wherein the geometry of the elastic coil is such that deformation is distributed in a substantially uniform manner, avoiding concentrations of stress in the material. 
     
     
         7 . The prosthetic device according to  claim 5 , wherein the joint mechanisms comprise each a joint provided with an angular end-stop, wherein lower surfaces of two sections of a tubular body adjacent to the joint are cut at an angle in such a way that in a configuration deflected to 90° the sections come into contact with each other and at the same time the elastic coil is closed as a package, so as to prevent further deflection of the end with respect to the central section of the sub-component structure. 
     
     
         8 . The prosthetic device according to  claim 7 , wherein the geometry of the elastic coil is such that the deformation is distributed in a substantially uniform manner, avoiding concentrations of stress in the material. 
     
     
         9 . The prosthetic device according to  claim 4 , wherein the central section and the elastic joint near the ends of the subcomponent structure have a mesh design. 
     
     
         10 . Prosthetic device according to  claim 4 , wherein the central section and the elastic ends of the sub-component structure are separate parts, joined together by elastic joints, in the form of additional components preferably made of metallic or polymeric material.