Patent attributes
A mitral valve prosthesis includes a valve body frame made of a nickel-titanium alloy. The valve body frame is collapsible for fitting within a catheter for delivery. A flexible skirt is sutured to the valve body frame for blocking blood flow between the valve body frame and native mitral valve tissue. A one-way valve is positioned within the valve body frame for permitting blood to flow from a first end of the valve body frame to a second end of the valve body frame. The one-way valve is preferably formed by three flexible valve leaflets made from a pericardial material. A plurality of barbs are spaced about the periphery of the valve body frame. Each of the barbs points toward the first end of the valve body frame and at least some of the barbs are positioned at the second end of the valve body frame.
