Patent ID: 8486137

Claim:
A system for implanting a heart valve prosthesis in a patient's heart, comprising, in combination, a heart valve prosthesis having a principal axis extending longitudinally therethrough, the heart valve prosthesis including an armature and prosthetic valve, leaflets, the heart valve prosthesis armature including an annular inflow portion and an annular outflow portion connected by a plurality of axially extending anchoring formations spaced about the principal axis of the heart valve prosthesis and configured to radially protrude beyond the annular inflow portion and annular outflow portion, and an apical valve delivery device for delivering the heart valve prosthesis to a target site in the patient's heart, the delivery device comprising: a deployment module for expanding the heart valve prosthesis, the deployment module comprising a first deployment element configured to enclose the annular outflow portion and a second deployment element configured to enclose the annular inflow portion, wherein each of the first and second deployment elements are independently operable, and markers on the delivery device to assist in location of the delivery device at an appropriate location, wherein the first deployment element includes a streamlined cap.