Heart valve storage and shipping retainer

摘要

This invention relates to a system and apparatus for retaining a prosthetic valve in a valve pocket suspended in a sealed container to protect from damage and contamination during shipment, handling and storage. The apparatus is an easy to open container having remote fill ports for adding a sterile liquid after enclosing the valve inside. A tamper evident seal is provided having a novel configuration to detect prior opening of the container. The apparatus includes an assembly having a shelf that is provided in a variety of configurations. The shelf has a mitral valve configuration and an aortic valve configuration. The shelf is selected based on the valve configurations and size. The system is easily assembled having a single variable component to adapt to a particular prosthetic valve to be stored. The present invention provides an apparatus for eliminating the need for direct attachment of the valve serial tag to the valve.