Patent ID: 7967853

Claim:
A valve, comprising: a valve frame having a distal end and a proximal end, and frame members defining an lumen; a valve leaflet having a distal end and a proximal end, where a portion of the distal end of the valve leaflet is coupled adjacent to the proximal end of the valve frame; and a leaflet transition member coupled to at least a portion of the valve leaflet, where the leaflet transition member is a ring structure that is coupled to the proximal end of the valve leaflet and the valve leaflet and the leaflet transition member in a first position are at least partially outside the lumen of the valve frame with the proximal end of the valve leaflet extending away from both the distal end and the proximal end of the valve frame, and where the valve leaflet and leaflet transition member transition from the first position to a second position in which the proximal end of the valve leaflet and at least a portion of the leaflet transition member are within the lumen of the valve frame.