US Patent:
20120150288, Jun 14, 2012
Inventors:
Fred Hodshon - Orange CA, US
Rafael Pintor - Mission Viejo CA, US
August Yambao - Temecula CA, US
Abhishek Gautam - Irvine CA, US
Louis A. Campbell - Santa Ana CA, US
Lawrence Farhat - Carlsbad CA, US
Tammy Huntley - Foothill Ranch CA, US
Faisal Kalam - Corona CA, US
Travis Oba - Corona CA, US
Qinggang Zeng - Irvine CA, US
Assignee:
EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION - Irvine CA
International Classification:
A61F 2/24
Abstract:
Packaging for prosthetic heart valves including an assembly for securely retaining a heart valve within a jar and facilitating retrieval therefrom. The assembly includes a packaging sleeve that fits closely within the jar and has a clip structure for securing a valve holder. Contrary to previous designs, in one embodiment the valve holder is directed downward into the jar, and the valve is retained with an inflow end upward. The valve may have flexible leaflets, and a leaflet parting member on the end of the shaft extends through the leaflets and couples with the valve holder. The assembly of the packaging sleeve, valve, and holder can then be removed from the jar and a valve delivery tube connected with the holder, or to the leaflet parting member. The packaging sleeve may be bifurcated into two halves connected at a living hinge to facilitate removal from around the valve/holder subassembly.