Dual-flange prosthetic valve frame

A method of implanting a prosthetic mitral valve, comprising:

• inserting a distal end portion of a delivery apparatus into a patient's body, wherein the prosthetic mitral valve is disposed along the distal end portion of the delivery apparatus in a radially compressed state, the prosthetic mitral valve comprising:
• a radially collapsible and expandable annular body defining a central axis and a lumen extending therethrough from an inlet to an outlet of the annular body, the annular body comprising a network of struts interconnected at a plurality of nodes to form a plurality of open cells;
• an atrial flange coupled to the annular body and extending radially away from the annular body, the atrial flange comprising a plurality of radially extending atrial protrusions;
• a ventricular flange coupled to the annular body and extending radially away from the annular body, the ventricular flange comprising a plurality of radially extending ventricular protrusions;
• three angularly spaced, longitudinally extending commissure support posts of fixed length extending in parallel with each other from the ventricular flange toward a ventricular end of the prosthetic valve;
• and
• a valve member comprising three leaflets coupled to the commissure support posts;
• wherein the atrial protrusions are connected to a first set of nodes of the plurality of nodes and the ventricular protrusions are connected to a second set of nodes of the plurality of nodes, wherein the first set of nodes is axially spaced from the second set of nodes;
• wherein the annular body has an annulus portion positioned between the atrial flange and the ventricular flange;
• positioning the prosthetic mitral valve within the native mitral valve of the patient's heart;
• and
• radially expanding the prosthetic mitral valve such that the atrial protrusions and the ventricular protrusions press against opposing sides of the native mitral valve, thereby retaining the prosthetic mitral valve in place;
• wherein, after expansion, the commissure support posts support the leaflets of the valve member below the ventricular flange and within the left ventricle of the heart;
• wherein the commissure support posts have upper end portions connected to the annulus portion and positioned between the atrial flange and the ventricular flange, and wherein radially expanding the prosthetic mitral valve causes the annulus portion to be positioned within the native mitral valve annulus;
• wherein the commissure support posts have a plurality of openings for stitching the leaflets to the commissure support posts.