Heart valve prostheses

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Abstract of the Disclosure A heart valve having an annular base and a free-floating pivoting disc which alternately closes the annulus and is moved by blood flow pressure to an angularly open and positionally displaced orientation. A disc guide strut extending through a central opening in the disc generally directs and controls the movement of the disc from the open to closed position. A single outflow pivot is provided in planar alignment with the disc guide strut, and this pivot coupled with the absence of a wedging position for the disc minimizes the tendency to produce areas of blood stagnation.