Abstract: A valve assembly and a method of additively manufacturing the same are provided. The valve assembly includes a valve housing defining first and second mounting features, such as recessed dimples or protruding bumps, positioned on opposite sides of a substantially cylindrical channel to define a hinge axis. One or more valve flaps are positioned within the cylindrical channel, each valve flap including a hinge member extending along the hinge axis and defining two or more complementary features or coupling members for engaging either the mounting features of the valve housing or an adjacent hinge member.

Abstract: An artificial valve (100) and related methods are provided for implantation in a patient's blood vessel (200), in particular an artificial heart valve, including a first (10) and a second (20) valve member each having a first smooth surface (11, 21) facing each other so as to form a sealing contact between the first and second valve members and further having at least one blood flow passage (13, 23a) extending from the first surface to a second surface (12, 22) located on an opposite side of the respective valve member, wherein at least one (10) of the valve members is arranged so as to be displaceable relative to the other (20) valve member in a slidable manner such that the passage (23a) of the second valve (20) member can be brought into at least partial alignment with the passage (13) of the first valve member (10) while maintaining the sealing contact between the first and second valve members, and a displacing mechanism (M; 50-56) for the relative displacement of the valve members (10, 20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthetic mitral heart valve consisting of a support housing (10) comprising a base ring (15) supporting two posts which point essentially in the direction of the ring axis and which are connected by arc-shaped walls (13, 14), these walls being used to fix two flexible leaflets. The free ends of said posts form an inner support for the leaflet. The base ring, as seen from above, has a closed, noncircular shape with a common longitudinal axis but two different-sized semi lateral axes. The posts lie on the longitudinal axis and form the transitional point from one half of the shape to the other.

Abstract: A valve device for use in a body cavity. The device including a valve ring having a compressible diameter. Further, leaflets are pivotally disposed within the valve ring for movement from an open position to a closed position. A catheter device including a first catheter and a second catheter disposed within the first catheter. The first catheter includes an expandable member disposed at a lower end. The device also includes a scale. The second catheter being advanced within the first catheter causes the expandable member to move to an expanded position, which corresponds to a diameter measurement on the scale.