Stent-valves for valve replacement and associated methods and systems for surgery

A cardiac stent-valve device, comprising:

• a stent component having a central axis, and an annular groove;
• a valve component housed in a section of the stent component;
• the stent component and the valve component being configured in a collapsed configuration for delivery at an implantation site, and in a self-expanding expanded configuration after delivery to the implantation site;
• the stent component including a plurality of individual attachment elements projecting integrally from a stent extremity at a first axial end of the stent component, wherein:
• the attachment elements:
• are configured for removable attachment to a complimentary structure of a delivery system, and
• project partially radially inwardly toward the central axis of the stent component when the stent-valve is in the expanded configuration,
• the annular groove is:
• present in the expanded configuration,
• arranged towards a second axial end opposite the first axial end, and
• defined by an annular indentation of the stent component which correspondingly presents an indented interior surface of the stent component, and
• the valve component extends axially beyond the annular groove towards the attachment elements.