Inflatable prosthetic cardiovascular valve for percutaneous transluminal implantation of same

摘要

An inflatable prosthetic cardiovascular valve which is constructed so as to be initially deployable in a deflated "collapsed" configuration wherein the valve may be passed through the lumen of a cardiovascular catheter and subsequently inflated to an "operative" configuration so as to perform its intended valving function at its intended site of implantation within the cardiovascular system. The inflated valve may be held in place by mechanical means (e.g., hooks, projections), by chemical adhesive or through biological assimilation by the heart tissue.