Patent ID: 8778020

Claim:
A method of forming a replacement heart valve, the method comprising: providing a plurality of valve leaflets, each leaflet having a side edge; positioning two of the valve leaflets in facing orientation such that side edges of the leaflets are aligned; providing a first thread of suture material; threading the first thread of suture material through the two valve leaflets in a first pattern of whip stitches; threading the first thread of suture material through the two valve leaflets in a second pattern of whip stitches, wherein the first pattern of whip stitches is threaded in a first direction and the second pattern of whip stitches is threaded in a second direction opposite the first direction; providing a second thread of suture material; threading the second thread of suture material through the two valve leaflets in a first running stitch, the first running stitch being parallel to the side edges; and threading the second thread of suture material through the two valve leaflets in a second running stitch, the second running stitch being parallel to the side edges.