Patent ID: 7717952

Claim:
An implantable valve comprising: a frame defining a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the frame comprising a proximal frame portion having a substantially annular shape with a first diameter at the frame proximal end and a sinus-forming frame portion having a distal end and a proximal end connected to the proximal frame portion, the sinus-forming frame portion having a bulbous shape with a maximum diameter of about 10% to about 200% larger than the first diameter to define a sinus region; and a valve leaflet having a body with a base and a flexible free edge, the valve leaflet base attached to the proximal frame portion within the lumen, the valve leaflet extending from the base, into the sinus region and terminating with the free edge before the maximum diameter of the sinus-forming frame portion so that the valve leaflet free edge is located within the sinus region, the valve leaflet defining a sinus pocket within the lumen between the valve leaflet body and the sinus-forming frame portion, the valve leaflet having a length measured from the base to the flexible free edge, the free edge moveable in response to fluid flow through the lumen; wherein the maximum diameter of the sinus-forming frame portion is positioned between the distal and proximal end of the sinus-forming frame portion such that a longitudinal distance from one of the proximal end and the distal end of the sinus-forming frame portion to the maximum diameter is less than a longitudinal distance from the other of the proximal end and the distal end of the sinus-forming frame portion to the maximum diameter; and wherein the frame comprises struts.