Importance

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Abstract

An artificial valve for repairing a damaged heart valve having a plurality of cusps separating an upstream region from a downstream region. The artificial valve includes a flexibly resilient frame sized and shaped for insertion in a position between the upstream region and the downstream region. The frame has a plurality of peripheral anchors for anchoring the frame in the position between the upstream region and the downstream region and a central portion located between the plurality of peripheral anchors. The valve also includes a flexible valve element attached to the frame and to the central portion of the frame having an upstream side facing the upstream region when the frame is anchored in the position between the upstream region and the downstream region and a downstream side opposite the upstream side facing the downstream region when the frame is anchored in the position between the upstream region and the downstream region. The valve element moves to an open position when fluid pressure in the upstream region is greater than fluid pressure in the downstream region to permit downstream flow from the upstream region to the downstream region. The valve element moves to a closed position when fluid pressure in the downstream region is greater than fluid pressure in the upstream region to prevent flow reversal from the downstream region to the upstream region.

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First Claim