Patent ID: 8828079

Claim:
A circulatory valve, comprising: a valve frame having frame members defining a number of frame cells with joints in opposing relationship and a number of frame cells without joints, where the valve frame self-expands to a first stable equilibrium state at a first relative potential energy minimum, and where the joints are capable of reversibly transitioning from the first stable equilibrium state through an unstable equilibrium state at a relative potential energy maximum to a second stable equilibrium state at a second relative potential energy minimum as the joints are drawn towards each other via an application of force external to the valve frame, wherein the frame cells with joints have a different configuration in the first stable equilibrium state than a configuration in the second stable equilibrium state; where the frame cells with joints are positioned only at a distal end and a proximal end of the valve frame; where the frame members of the number of frame cells without joints have serpentine bends providing an elastic radial force; and a valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame.