Patent ID: 8740974

Claim:
A method of treating a diseased cardiac valve: implanting a valve prosthesis at an implantation site at a native cardiac valve complex; wherein implanting the valve prosthesis comprises compressing the valve prosthesis to a compressed state for delivery to the implantation site and expanding the valve prosthesis to an expanded state for deployment at the implantation site, wherein the valve prosthesis has a longitudinal axis and comprises: a valve fixation device comprising: a plurality of struts that run in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; a first circumferential row of cells coupled to the plurality of struts; and a second circumferential row of cells coupled to the plurality of struts; the valve fixation device being compressible to a compressed state for delivery to an implantation site, and expandable to an expanded state for deployment at the implantation site; the plurality of struts being substantially rigid such that the plurality of struts do not change dimensions between the compressed state and the expanded state; and a valve comprising a plurality of leaflets and a plurality of commissures, the valve being coupled to the valve fixation device such that the plurality of commissures are radially aligned with respective struts of the plurality of struts.