Patent ID: 10022220

Abstract:
Methods of implanting prosthetic heart valves for minimally invasive valve replacement are disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, a compressible and expandable prosthetic heart valve includes a support stent comprising an expandable tubular base and three upstanding commissure posts. The three commissure posts are spaced at 120 degree intervals. The prosthetic heart valve further includes a tubular flexible member which is secured to the support stent. The tubular flexible member preferably includes a prosthetic section and a fabric section. The prosthetic section is connected to the three commissure posts and defines three leaflets and three commissure portions. The commissure portions are secured along the commissure posts. The tubular base of the support stent may be self-expandable or balloon-expandable. The fabric section of the tubular flexible member surrounds the tubular base of the support stent for contacting an annulus of the native heart valve.