ALBERT STARR, MD
Radiology at Barnes Rd, Portland, OR

6045576, Apr 4, 2000

Sep 16, 1997

8/932818

Albert Starr - Portland OR
Robert Stobie - Mission Viejo CA
Michael N. Helmus - Long Beach CA

Baxter International Inc. - Deerfield IL

A61F 224

623 2

A sewing ring for implantation of prosthetic heart valves has a compliant ring member made of a plurality of cells. The ring member may be silicon rubber and the cells defined within outer walls and inner ribs. A biocompatible fabric covering surrounds at least an outer portion of the ring member, and the assembly mounts to a mechanical or tissue-type prosthetic heart valve. The ring member has a radial dimension and cross-sectional area sufficient to ensure a large coaptation area between the sewing ring and the annulus tissue so as to enable adequate attachment of the valve without load distributing devices such as pledgets. A version of the sewing ring for attachment to the mitral annulus includes a curved coaptation edge, while another embodiment for attachment to the aortic annulus has a tapered outer edge with increased radial and axial dimensions. The sewing ring eliminates the need for pledgets, reduces the number of sutures required, lessens the potential for decubitous ulceration, and provides a better seal against perivalvular leakage. Moreover, the aortic valve sewing ring is sufficiently flexible and large to be able to be placed intra- or supra-annularly, as the surgeon deems best for the patient.