Natural tissue heat valve and method of making same

摘要

A low profile natural tissue heart valve with a one-piece fabric covering is applied to a stent in a minimum number of steps so that virtually no seams are exposed. The one-piece covering serves also to enclose and mount the sewing ring to avoid separation from the stent. The procedure employed enables use of bovine pericardium united as a single piece to the exterior of the stent and fixed in position in such a way as to avoid prolapsing in use.