A SUTURE RING FOR SECURING THE HEAR VALVE TO THE TISSUES OF THE HEART

摘要

Suture rings are provided for heart valves having surrounding stiffening protrusions that are either integral parts of the heart valve bodies or are rigid rings held in interference fit within peripheral grooves of heart valve bodies. Metal retainer rings engage the stiffening protrusions to lock the retainer rings to the valve bodies and carry fabric coverings on their exterior surfaces that are suturable to the heart tissues. Deformable portions of the retainer rings are used to provide engagement between the retainer rings and the protrusions and also to permanently position bands that secure the fabric coverings to the retainer rings.