US Patent 8002825 Implantable prosthetic valve for treating aortic stenosis

A prosthetic valve for implantation in a stenosed aortic valve. The prosthetic valve includes a compressible and expandable frame formed with intersecting metallic bars and a valvular structure made with pericardial tissue. The frame is compressible for delivery into a patient's vasculature through an 18 F (5.7 mm) arterial introducer using a catheterization technique. The bars of the frame preferably have a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 0.6 mm for providing the frame with sufficient radial strength to resist the recoil force exerted by the stenosed aortic valve after implantation. The prosthetic valve includes an internal cover made with pericardial tissue. The internal cover is fastened to an internal surface of the frame between an inlet end of the frame and the valvular structure for preventing regurgitation.