US Patent 7744642 Prosthetic venous valves

A prosthetic venous valve includes a frame and leaflets. The frame includes: (i) a generally hollow base disposed at a blood inflow end; (ii) a plurality of struts connected with the base and extending generally parallel to a direction of forward flow of blood from the generally hollow base to a blood outflow end; and (iii) inwardly oriented flanges disposed at the blood outflow ends of the struts. The leaflets are disposed in gaps between the struts and are supported by the frame. The leaflets are arranged to close into the vein lumen to substantially seal against backflow of blood from the blood outflow end to the blood inflow end. The inwardly oriented flanges of the struts enhance the sealing.