Patents Assigned to Onx, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5137532
    Abstract: Bi-leaflet heart valves have improved flow characteristics in their open position as a result of employing valve bodies of elongated axial dimension. By elongating the axial dimension of valve bodies which have straight, smooth interior wall surfaces oriented parallel to the centerline through the valve and to the flow path of blood, and by employing a pair of occluders which have major surfaces that are rectilinear and can assume an orientation that is substantially parallel to the centerline in the open position, a streamlining of blood flow occurs. The pivot arrangements avoid the use of acute angular surface orientations and cause the occluders, although aligned substantially parallel to blood flow in the open position, to promptly pivot toward the closed position upon reversal of blood flow. This streamlining substantially reduces turbulence and results in low head loss, both significant advantages in bi-leaflet heart valve performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Onx, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack C. Bokros, Michael R. Emken, Axel D. Haubold, T. Scott Peters, Jonathan C. Stupka
  • Patent number: 5123920
    Abstract: A bi-leaflet heart valve having an improved hinge arrangement that allows the valve to respond quickly to flow reversals and minimizes fluttering of the leaflets in the open position. A pair of leaflets are slidably and pivotally mounted in a heart valve body for movement between closed and open positions. Notches in the leaflets matingly engage complementary surfaces on pivot projections extending inward from the valve body sidewall. Downstream stops interengage with complementary surfaces on the leaflets to cushion the final opening movement and reduce wear in critical locations to improve operating characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Onx, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack C. Bokros
  • Patent number: 5116367
    Abstract: A bi-leaflet heart valve having an improved hinge arrangement that, in combination with the disclosed curved surfaces of the leaflets, allows the valve to respond more quickly to flow reversal and minimizes fluttering of the leaflets in the open position. The leaflets are slidably and pivotally mounted in a heart valve body for movement between closed and open positions. The leaflets have notches which matingly engage complementary surfaces on pivot projections extending inward from the valve body sidewall. The shape and relationship of these complementary surfaces and the two-dimensional curvature of the leaflets provides for improved operating characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignees: Ned H. C. Hwang, Onx, Inc.
    Inventors: Ned H. C. Hwang, Jack C. Bokros
  • Patent number: 5116366
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heart valve of the bi-leaflet type having an improved hinge arrangement that allows the valve to respond more quickly to flow reversal and minimizes fluttering of the leaflets in the open position. The leaflets are slidably and pivotally mounted in a heart valve body for movement between closed and open positions. The leaflets have notches which matingly engage complementary surfaces on pivot projections extending inward from the valve body sidewall. The shape and relationship of these complementary surfaces provides for improved operating characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignees: Ned H. S. Hwang, Onx, Inc.
    Inventor: Ned H. C. Hwang