US 11,833,273 B2
Leaflet thickness via stretching techniques for improved valve durability
Kristen T. Morin, St. Paul, MN (US); Jay Reimer, Saint Paul, MN (US); Keith T. High, White Bear Lake, MN (US); and Kristopher Henry Vietmeier, Monticello, MN (US)
Assigned to St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc., St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed by St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc., St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed on Apr. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/231,628.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/010,819, filed on Apr. 16, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0322649 A1, Oct. 21, 2021
Int. Cl. A61F 2/24 (2006.01); A61L 27/54 (2006.01); A61L 27/36 (2006.01); A61L 27/38 (2006.01); B29C 59/02 (2006.01)
CPC A61L 27/54 (2013.01) [A61F 2/2415 (2013.01); A61F 2/2418 (2013.01); A61L 27/3687 (2013.01); A61L 27/3826 (2013.01); A61L 27/3834 (2013.01); B29C 59/02 (2013.01); A61F 2240/004 (2013.01); A61L 2300/252 (2013.01); A61L 2430/20 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for fabricating a leaflet for a prosthetic heart valve, the leaflet having a non-uniform thickness, the method comprising:
providing a sheet of a leaflet material, the sheet having a first thickness;
attaching the sheet to a frame; and
moving a first probe into contact with a surface of the sheet, whereupon the probe exerts a force against a region of the sheet to compress or stretch the region of the sheet and thereby change the thickness of the region of the sheet to a second thickness different from the first thickness.