Patent attributes
An expandable valve (100) and valve frame device that may be implanted within the body, for example, at a position of the heart. The device may be surgically implanted and subsequently expanded at a later time. The device may include an expandable sewing member (160) surrounding the valve frame (130) at a region between upstream and downstream ends of the device, for attaching the device to surrounding tissue. The device may include a membrane (140) for blocking leakage out the side of the valve frame between opposite ends. However, the membrane may include a side opening (170) for guiding fluid flow toward an appropriate anatomical outflow tract. The device may include a hood-like covering attached to a tissue wall, for smoothly receiving and guiding fluid flow along a perpendicular bend. The device may further include a flared opening at a downstream end, providing adequate space for device attachment.
