WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - St. Jude Medical, Inc. (STJ) announced regulatory approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the launch of the Trifecta aortic stented, pericardial tissue valve.
According to the company, the Trifecta valve is its newest tissue valve for cardiac surgeons, and is clinically proven for patients with diseased, damaged or malfunctioning aortic heart valves. The next-generation tissue valve has a tri-leaflet stented pericardial design that offers excellent hemodynamic performance and long-term durability.
The valve is constructed using a polyester and tissue-covered, fatigue resistant, high strength titanium stent to ensure structural integrity of the valve. The valve features leaflets manufactured from pericardial tissue attached to the exterior of the valve stent. This design allows the leaflets to open more fully and efficiently, mimicking the performance of a healthy aortic heart valve, while also mitigating tissue abrasion through tissue-to-tissue contact.
St. Jude Medical's Trifecta valve is available in a wide range of sizes to offer physicians more control in choosing the appropriate replacement valve for each patient's heart.
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© 2012 AFX News
