Abstract: A heart valve is at least partially constructed from a block-copolymer, the block-copolymer having a phase structure formed by its constituent blocks, and wherein the phase structure is arranged so as to produce anisotropic physical properties in the heart valve.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polyisobutylene-based polyurethane for making heart valves is disclosed, wherein the method includes providing a polyisobutylene (PIB) polymer, freshly distilling a diisocyanate compound to create a freshly distilled diisocyanate and providing a chain extender. When the polyisobutylene polymer, the freshly distilled diisocyanate, and the chain extender are combined together by mixing, the created polyisobutylene-based polyurethane exhibits a higher number average molecular weight, a higher ultimate strength, a higher elongation, and a greater toughness than a polyisobutylene-based polyurethane made without a freshly distilled diisocyanate, which makes the polymer particularly useful as a bioprosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a heart valve, comprising: a step of injection moulding a first part (110) of the heart valve from a first block-copolymer, wherein the injection moulding is performed at a temperature below an order-disorder transition temperature of the block copolymer, such that a phase structure is present in the molten block-copolymer; a step of injection moulding a second part (114) of the heart valve from a second block-copolymer that is different to the first block-copolymer, by over-moulding over the first part (110) to form an over-moulded structure, wherein the injection moulding is performed at a temperature below order-disorder transition temperatures for the first and second block copolymers, such that a phase structure is present in the molten second block-copolymer and remains present in the first block-copolymer; and a step of cooling the over-moulded structure, without heating it above the order-disorder transition temperatures between the step of injection

Abstract: A heart valve is at least partially constructed from a block-copolymer, the block-copolymer having a phase structure formed by its constituent blocks, and wherein the phase structure is arranged so as to produce anisotropic physical properties in the heart valve.

Abstract: A heart valve is at least partially constructed from a block-copolymer, the block-copolymer having a phase structure formed by its constituent blocks, and wherein the phase structure is arranged so as to produce anisotropic physical properties in the heart valve.