A tri-leaflet heart valve includes an annular valve base with an inner surface
forming an orifice through which blood flows from the upstream side to the downstream
side. Three protruding hinges, each with concave sockets on opposite sides, are
formed on the inner surface. Each hinge has a downstream face and an upstream face
connected by a ridge. Three leaflets are respectively arranged between adjacent
hinges. Each leaflet has round pivots on both sides that rest inside the concave
sockets, allowing the leaflets to freely rotate in the annular valve base. When
the leaflets are subject to a positive pressure from the blood flow, the leaflets
are pushed open and allow a central flow. When the leaflets are subject to a negative
pressure, the leaflets are closed to occlude the blood flow.
