Abstract: Bileaflet biconical heart valve which duplicates the hemodynamics of a natural heart valve in the human heart where tips of biconical halves of the heart valve pivot outwardly in a manner representing that of natural heart valve tissue. In one embodiment of the present invention, biconical halves move about outflow pivots while in two other embodiments, the biconical halves pivot on outflow pivots where each biconical half pivots about or on two spaced pivots extending inwardly from an orifice ring at adjacent lower ends of each biconical half.

Abstract: A heart valve having an annular base and a free-floating pivoting disc which alternately closes the annulus and is moved by blood flow pressure to an angularly open and positionally displaced orientation. A disc guide strut extending through a central opening in the disc generally directs and controls the movement of the disc from the open to closed position. A single outflow pivot is provided in planar alignment with the disc guide strut, and this pivot coupled with the absence of a wedging position for the disc minimizes the tendency to produce areas of blood stagnation.