Patent attributes
A flexible support frame for a prosthetic heart valve having commissure tips that are shaped to even out stresses imposed during use. The support frame is an elongated wire-like element formed by a plurality, typically three, of arcuate cusp regions on an inflow end alternating with the same number of commissures terminating in tips on an outflow end. The commissure tips are elongated relative to more simple shapes. The commissure tips may be shaped with a complex curve having two enlarged convex flexure portions separated by a concave bridge portion at the midpoint of the commissure tip. The support frame may be fabricated by separating a two-dimensional blank from a sheet and then converting the blank into a three-dimensional support frame shape. The cross-sectional thickness of the support frame may be variable, such as by adjusting the thickness of the pattern of the two-dimensional blank in the sheet. Desirably, the radial thickness remains constant while the circumferential dimension varies with a maximum located at the commissure tips.
