Patent ID: 7458987

Claim:
A vascular valve device for implantation in a patient to form two or more leaflets including tissue of the patient in a target configuration, the valve device comprising: a frame having a longitudinal axis; a remodelable covering that retracts upon remodeling, the remodelable covering attached to the frame in a first configuration for implantation, the first configuration having two or more leaflet-forming portions formed from the remodelable covering; said first configuration adapted wherein upon a remodeling of the two or more leaflet-forming portions and consequent retraction, two or more leaflets comprising tissue of the patient in the target valve configuration are formed; wherein said first configuration for implantation provides a first coaptation path along which the two or more leaflet-forming portions coapt in a closed condition of the valve device, said first coaptation path extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame, and wherein an excess of the remodelable covering provided in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said frame causes said first coaptation path to be tortuous; wherein said target configuration provides a target coaptation path along which the two or more leaflets coapt in a closed condition of the valve device, said target coaptation path extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame, and wherein said target coaptation path is less tortuous than said first coaptation path due to remodeling and consequent retraction of said leaflet-forming portions of said remodelable covering.