Patent attributes
A prosthetic heart valve for replacing a defective aortic valve includes a self-expandable annular frame made of shape-memory material. A one-way valve structure is disposed within an interior of the frame. The frame includes a plurality of posts projecting axially from an outflow end portion of the frame, wherein each of the posts includes an axial post portion and a terminal post portion. The terminal post portions have greater circumferential dimensions than the axial post portions. The terminal post portions are preferably formed with concave inner surfaces and convex outer surfaces for conforming to the shape of a delivery catheter. Each of the posts is shaped for placement within a corresponding recess along a distal end portion of the delivery catheter for ensuring that the prosthetic heart valve remains coupled to the delivery catheter while the prosthetic heart valve is expanded within the defective aortic valve.
