Inverted leaflet prosthetic valve

A prosthetic valve comprising:

• an annular frame having an inflow end, an outflow end, and a longitudinal axis extending from the inflow end to the outflow end, wherein the annular frame is configured to be collapsed to a radially collapsed state for mounting on a delivery apparatus and expanded to a radially expanded state inside a patient's body;
• and
• a valve member mounted within the annular frame and comprising a plurality of at least three flexible leaflets, wherein each leaflet comprises a straight inflow edge and an articulating outflow edge that has a convex curved shape projecting in a downstream direction extending away from the inflow edge and toward the outflow end of the frame;
• wherein when the prosthetic valve is deployed within the patient's body:
• the forward flow of blood through the prosthetic valve causes the leaflets to collapse radially inward to a collapsed state, defining an open configuration of the prosthetic valve, thereby creating a plurality of discrete flow areas between the frame and the inflow edges of the leaflets;
• and
• the reverse flow of blood causes the leaflets to be pushed radially outward, defining a closed configuration of the prosthetic valve, thereby closing the plurality of discrete flow areas.

A prosthetic valve comprising:

• an annular frame having an inflow end, an outflow end, and a longitudinal axis extending from the inflow end to the outflow end, wherein the annular frame is configured to be collapsed to a radially collapsed state for mounting on a delivery apparatus and expanded to a radially expanded state inside a patient's body;
• a valve member mounted within the annular frame and comprising a plurality of at least three flexible leaflets, wherein each leaflet comprises an inflow edge and an articulating outflow edge;
• and
• a reinforcing layer wrapped around joined portions of the inflow edges and sutures passing through the reinforcing layer and the inflow edges to secure the inflow edges of the leaflets to each other;
• wherein when the prosthetic valve is deployed within the patient's body:
• the forward flow of blood through the prosthetic valve causes the leaflets to collapse radially inward to a collapsed state, defining an open configuration of the prosthetic valve, thereby creating a plurality of discrete flow areas between the frame and the inflow edges of the leaflets;
• and
• the reverse flow of blood causes the leaflets to be pushed radially outward, defining a closed configuration of the prosthetic valve, thereby closing the plurality of discrete flow areas.