Patent ID: 7717955

Claim:
A prosthesis for receiving a prosthetic valve to replace a preexisting natural or prosthetic heart valve within a biological annulus adjacent a sinus cavity, comprising: an annular member comprising an annular band substantially enclosed within a fabric covering disposed around a central longitudinal axis and implantable within the biological annulus for dilating tissue surrounding the biological annulus, the annular member being compressible radially inwardly to facilitate insertion into the biological annulus, the annular member being biased to expand radially outwardly to dilate the tissue surrounding the biological annulus; a sewing cuff comprising a flexible core at least partially covered with fabric extending radially outwardly and upwardly from an upper portion of the annular member such that the core comprises a tapered shape in a relaxed state defining an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the sewing cuff being conformable for adopting a shape of tissue surrounding the sinus cavity above the biological annulus; and one or more connectors for securing a prosthetic valve to the annular member.