Patent ID: 7611534

Claim:
An apparatus for percutaneously replacing a diseased cardiac valve, the apparatus being movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the apparatus comprising: an expandable support member for positioning in an atrial chamber, the expandable support member including a main body portion having a non-tubular cage-like structure configured to line the atrial chamber in the expanded configuration, and one of a first opening which in the expanded configuration is located substantially adjacent the annulus of the diseased cardiac valve; at least one anchoring having a tubular configuration extending from the main body portion and being adapted to conform to the shape of a second opening that extends from the atrial chamber, where the junction formed by the main body portion and the at least one anchoring portion defines a third opening, which is smaller than the first opening; a ring member adapted to engage the first opening of the main body portion; an expandable ring operatively secured to the ring member; and a prosthetic valve attached to the expandable ring, the prosthetic valve being adapted to replace the diseased cardiac valve.