Patent ID: 6974476

Claim:
A valve configured for insertion on the proximal and distal sides of a heart valve annulus to replace the heart valve of a patient, the valve comprising: a first substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a first side of the annulus of a patient; a second substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a second side of the annulus of a patient, at least one of the first and second substantially annular portions being movable towards the other portion to a clamped position to clamp around the annulus, the second substantially annular portion having a flow restricting portion extending therefrom and movable between a first position to permit the flow of blood and a second position to restrict the flow of blood, a suture joining the first and second portions wherein tensioning of the suture draws the first and second portions to the clamped position and a cinch member positioned on the suture and connected to the second portion to retain the suture and the first and second portions in the clamped position.