Patent ID: 8211169

Claim:
A heart valve assembly, comprising: an annular prosthesis implantable within a natural valve annulus, the annular prosthesis comprising an annular member configured to be received in a biological annulus, a sewing cuff extending radially outwardly from the annular member, and a collar extending upwardly from the annular member; and a prosthetic valve comprising a frame securable to the collar, wherein the frame includes a first ear and a second ear, wherein the first and second ears extend downwardly from the frame, wherein the collar includes a first pocket configured to receive the first ear and a second pocket configured to receive the second ear, and wherein the collar defines an interior lumen having a longitudinal axis, wherein the collar includes an internal wall and an external wall, wherein the internal wall is closer to the longitudinal axis than the external wall, and wherein the first and second pockets are formed in the internal wall of the collar.