US Patent 9901444 Inverted valve structure

Prosthetic valve embodiments are described herein that include a frame and a valve member mounted within the frame. The valve members can have a plurality of leaflets that are affixed to one another along their inflow edges, with articulating edges projecting from the inflow edges in the outflow direction. In an open configuration, the articulating edges can be collapsed radially inward by the forward flow of blood through the prosthetic valve, thereby creating a plurality of discrete flow areas between the frame and the inflow edges of the leaflets. In a closed configuration, the leaflets can be pushed radially outward by the reverse flow of blood, thereby closing the plurality of discrete flow areas.