Patent ID: 8303649

Claim:
A prosthetic valve for implantation in a body vessel having an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration, the prosthetic valve comprising: a flexible covering having a proximal covering end, a distal covering end, a luminal surface, an abluminal surface, and an axial length extending between the proximal covering end and distal covering end, the flexible covering defining an interior lumen, the flexible covering having a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal covering end and the distal covering end and a circumference extending around the abluminal surface; a plurality of discrete shaping members attached only to the flexible covering, each of the discrete shaping members comprising a discontinuous Z-stent segment having a V-shape with a first free end, a second free end, and an apex, each of the Z-stent segments extending only partially around the circumference of the flexible covering; and at least one valve member operatively connected to the luminal surface, the at least one valve member adapted to modify fluid flow through the interior lumen; wherein each of the first free end, second free end, and apex of each Z-stent segment is disposed on the flexible covering between the proximal covering end and the distal covering end.