Marking Heart Valve Commissures for Better Imaging
This patent describes a method for attaching a special marker to a prosthetic heart valve that shows up on X-rays, helping doctors see the exact position of the valve's leaflets during surgery.
Original patent title: “Commissure marker for a prosthetic heart valve”
This patent describes a method for attaching a special marker to a prosthetic heart valve that shows up on X-rays, helping doctors see the exact position of the valve's leaflets during surgery. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a way to add a special marker to a prosthetic heart valve, based on its abstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more →. The marker is "radiopaque," meaning it shows up clearly on X-rays or other medical scans. Specifically, the patent details attaching this marker to an "attachment member" that forms part of a "commissure" — the point where two valve leaflets meet. The marker is placed on a "flap" of this attachment member, hidden between the flap and the central part of the attachment. This helps doctors see the exact orientation of the valve's commissures during implantation procedures.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover markers that are not radiopaque, such as those visible only with ultrasound or MRI.
- Does not cover markers placed directly on the valve leaflets or frame, rather than on the commissure's attachment member.
- Does not cover markers that are not hidden between a flap and a central portion of an attachment member.
- Does not cover methods of marking commissures that do not involve a folded flap structure.
- Does not cover markers that are not specifically used to indicate the location of a commissure.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in the specific, hidden placement of the radiopaque marker within the commissure's attachment structure. By tucking it between a folded flap and a central portion, the marker can indicate the commissure's position without interfering with valve function or being easily dislodged.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) devices
Surgical heart valves
Implantable medical devices requiring precise orientation
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Accurate placement of prosthetic heart valves is crucial for patient outcomes. This marker helps surgeons precisely orient the valve during procedures like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). By clearly showing the commissure locations on imaging, it reduces the risk of misalignment, which can lead to complications or reduced valve function.
Filed
January 24, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences, and Abbott Laboratories are major players in the prosthetic heart valve market. These companies continuously innovate in valve design and implantation techniques, including improving visibility and guidance for surgeons during procedures.
Market impact
This type of innovation aims to improve the safety and efficacy of heart valve replacement procedures, particularly minimally invasive ones. Better visualization tools can lead to faster procedures, fewer complications, and improved long-term outcomes for patients, driving adoption of advanced valve technologies.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a way to add a special marker to a prosthetic heart valve, based on its abstract. The marker is "radiopaque," meaning it shows up clearly on X-rays or other medical scans. Specifically, the patent details attaching this marker to an "attachment member" that forms part of a "commissure" — the point where two valve leaflets meet. The marker is placed on a "flap" of this attachment member, hidden between the flap and the central part of the attachment. This helps doctors see the exact orientation of the valve's commissures during implantation procedures.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the specific, hidden placement of the radiopaque marker within the commissure's attachment structure. By tucking it between a folded flap and a central portion, the marker can indicate the commissure's position without interfering with valve function or being easily dislodged.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover markers that are not radiopaque, such as those visible only with ultrasound or MRI.
- Does not cover markers placed directly on the valve leaflets or frame, rather than on the commissure's attachment member.
- Does not cover markers that are not hidden between a flap and a central portion of an attachment member.
- Does not cover methods of marking commissures that do not involve a folded flap structure.
- Does not cover markers that are not specifically used to indicate the location of a commissure.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 17.3 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Marking Heart Valve Commissures for Better Imaging (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,031). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734031/commissure-marker-for-a-prosthetic-heart-valve
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Marking Heart Valve Commissures for Better Imaging cover?
This patent describes a method for attaching a special marker to a prosthetic heart valve that shows up on X-rays, helping doctors see the exact position of the valve's leaflets during surgery.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Accurate placement of prosthetic heart valves is crucial for patient outcomes. This marker helps surgeons precisely orient the valve during procedures like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). By clearly showing the commissure locations on imaging, it reduces the risk of misalignment, which can lead to complications or reduced valve function.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover markers that are not radiopaque, such as those visible only with ultrasound or MRI.
Patent monitoring