Suture rings for rotatable artificial heart valves

United States Patent im

Stobie et al.

US005755783A [11] Patent Number: [45] Date of Patent:

5,755,783 May 26, 1998

[54] SUTURE RINGS FOR ROTATABLE ARTIFICIAL HEART VALVES

[76] Inventors: Robert Stobie. 27502 Los Banos,

Mission Viejo. Calif. 92691; George
Guo, 34 Club Vista. Dove Canyon,
Calif. 92679

[21] Appl. No.: 688,672

[22] Filed: Jul. 29, 1996

[51] IntCl.6 A61F2/24

[52] U.S. CI 623/2; 623/900

[58] Field of Search 623/2. 900

[56] References Cited

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A suture ring for a rotatable artificial heart valve apparatus has a ring member covered by a fabric material. A portion of the fabric material covers a portion of the inner surface of the ring member. At least one protuberance is formed on the inner surface of the ring member so as to mitigate the frictional resistance to rotation which results from compression of the fabric between the suture ring and the heart valve. Thus, desirable rotation of the heart valve relative to the suture ring is assured over a range of thicknesses of the fabric material.

40 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets