Patent ID: 7699168

Claim:
An apparatus for retaining a prosthetic heart valve in a container, the apparatus comprising: a prosthetic heart valve having a sewing ring wherein a valve holder is attached to the sewing ring, the container having a sidewall, a bottom, an open top, and a lid removably associated with the open top and at least partially defining a closed storage chamber in the container; a retainer in the container, the retainer having a body and a removable cap comprising a valve positioner engaging the valve holder; a shelf attached to the body, the shelf comprising a drain hole and a valve pocket wherein the sewing ring is positioned on the shelf and the valve is positioned in the valve pocket, wherein the valve is retained in the valve pocket and held in spaced relation from the container sidewall and bottom; wherein the shelf further comprises an outer flange and a support ring, the support ring around the valve pocket, the outer flange on the support ring between the valve pocket and sidewall; wherein the shelf further comprises an inner flange, the support ring having an inside and an outside, the outer flange on the outside, the inner flange on the inside, a drain hole in one or both of the inner flange and the outer flange; and wherein the sewing ring is supported on the inner flange with the support ring circumferentially surrounding the valve.