Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE

Abstract:

An implantable prosthetic valve comprises a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame and a leaflet structure that regulates the flow of blood through the prosthetic valve. A fabric inner skirt is positioned along an inner surface of the frame. The inner skirt comprises a first set of yarns extending in a first direction and a second set of yarns extending in a second direction and woven with the first set of yarns. The yarns of the first set are thinner than the yarns of the second set and are woven with the second set of yarns such that an inner surface of the skirt is formed from more of the yarns of the first set than the yarns of the second set and an outer surface of the skirt is formed from more of the yarns of the second set than the yarns of the first set.