Patent ID: 8057538
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A combination prosthetic valve and holder for handling the prosthetic valve during insertion into a patient, the prosthetic valve having an axis, a inlet end, an outlet end, and comprising a stent and a sewing ring, the sewing ring provided at the inlet end of the prosthetic valve, the stent comprising a plurality of commissure posts that extend from a portion of the stent that is positioned adjacent to the sewing ring toward the outlet end of the valve prosthesis, the sewing ring providing an inlet side surface and having an outside diameter, an inside diameter and a centerline diameter, an inner portion of the sewing ring comprising the surface region intermediate the inside diameter and the centerline diameter, the holder positioned on the inlet side of the prosthetic valve and further comprising: a central hub having an outer perimeter, the outer perimeter having a hub diameter, the central hub axially positioned on the valve axis and spaced from the sewing ring; and a plurality of legs extending radially from the central hub and aligned with the plurality of commissure posts, each one of the plurality of legs having a foot and a knee, each foot removably positioned completely within and on the inner portion of the sewing ring and adjacent a commissure post, the knee intermediate the foot and the central hub, the knee defined by a fixed inside bend in the leg, the bend at an obtuse angle; a plurality of holder sutures, each of the holder sutures having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the first end on the central hub, the second end tied to a respective leg, the intermediate portion engaging the valve.