Patent ID: 7682389

Claim:
A cardiac valve comprising a frame and at least two flexible leaflets moveable between an open and closed position; wherein the frame comprises an annular portion defining an (XY) plane which, in use, is disposed substantially perpendicular to the blood flow, the frame having first and second ends, one of the ends defining at least two scalloped edge portions separated and defined by at least two posts, wherein said leaflet has first and second lateral edges each attached to a scalloped edge portion of a corresponding post of the frame, wherein the leaflet is formed such that the length of the leaflet between the lateral edges measured at each height (Z) along the lateral edges in an (XY) plane substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the height (Z) is measured is defined by a parabolic function wherein the lengths determined by the parabolic function vary in a substantially linear fashion with the height (Z) when the valve is in a closed position.