Patent ID: 8118866

Claim:
A method of implanting a bistable percutaneous heart valve, comprising the steps of: a. providing a bistable percutaneous heart valve that includes (i) a continuous annular ring defining an undeformed configuration having a first diameter, (ii) at least two circumferentially spaced jaws mounted with respect to the continuous annular ring, and (iii) a plurality of leaflet membranes mounted with respect to the continuous annular ring; b. folding said bistable percutaneous heart valve into a collapsed position such that (i) said continuous annular ring collapses from said undeformed configuration to a deformed configuration of reduced diameter relative to said first diameter, and (ii) said at least two jaws are positioned in a non-tissue engaging orientation relative to the continuous annular ring; c. inserting a catheter into a patient and guiding a distal end of said catheter to a position adjacent an implantation position in a patient's heart; d. inserting said folded heart valve into said catheter and steering said folded heart valve to said distal end of said catheter using a guiding device; e. guiding said folded heart valve beyond said distal end of said catheter so as to cause said heart valve to elastically unfold to a stable unfolded position, whereby (i) said continuous annular ring automatically and elastically returns to said undeformed configuration, and (ii) said at least two jaws assume a tissue engaging orientation relative to the continuous annular ring; f. forcing the unfolded heart valve into a second stable position; g. guiding the heart valve to the implantation position; h. adjusting said at least two claws of said heart valve by the application of an external force so as to allow ingress of surrounding heart tissue into said claws, whereupon removal of the external force the claws elastically revert to an initial position so as to grip the heart tissue positioned within the claws, thereby holding said heart valve in place; and i. removing the guiding device and the catheter.