Patent ID: 7871436

Claim:
A method of implanting a replacement prosthetic heart valve within a previously implanted prosthetic heart valve, the method comprising: positioning a replacement prosthetic heart valve in an internal area defined by the structure of the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve, wherein the replacement heart valve comprises: a stent structure comprising: a generally tubular body portion having an interior area; at least two upper flange portions for positioning at an outflow end of the previously implanted heart valve, wherein the upper flange portions extend outwardly from the tubular body portion and are biased toward an inflow end of the replacement heart valve; and at least one lower flange portion for positioning at the inflow end of the previously implanted heart valve, wherein the lower flange portions extend outwardly from the tubular body portion and are biased toward an outflow end of the replacement heart valve; and at least two leaflets attached within the interior area of the tubular body portion; wherein a second portion of the stent structure comprises the at least two upper flange portions and is self-expandable with the removal of an external compressive force and wherein a first portion of the stent structure comprises the at least one lower flange portion and is expandable with the application of an internal radial force; wherein the first portion of the stent structure is made of a first material, and the second portion of the stent structure is made of a second material that is different from the first material removing the external compressive force on the stent structure to allow the second portion of the stent structure to radially expand; and applying an internal radial force to the stent structure to expand the first portion of the stent.