Method of treating a defective heart valve

A method of reducing regurgitation in a native heart valve having three native leaflets, the method comprising:

• inserting a delivery catheter through a small incision and into a patient's vasculature, the delivery catheter having a prosthetic device contained within a sheath along a distal end portion of the delivery catheter, the prosthetic device including a self-expanding insert member and an anchoring member, wherein at least one elongate connecting member couples the self-expanding insert member to the anchoring member, wherein the self-expanding insert member is shaped for deployment within a native heart valve having three native leaflets;
• advancing the distal end of the delivery catheter through a patient's vasculature and toward the heart valve;
• allowing the self-expanding insert member to self-expand in a gap between the native leaflets of the heart valve;
• and
• allowing the anchoring member to self-expand into engagement with an inner wall of a blood vessel, wherein the anchoring member takes the form of a stent having an open frame construction, the stent formed by a plurality of circumferential bands, each band including zig-zag struts shaped for engaging the inner wall of the blood vessel without penetrating tissue;
• wherein, after deployment of the prosthetic device, the native leaflets of the heart valve continue to function and form a tight seal against the self-expanding insert member for preventing regurgitation through the heart valve and wherein the stent secures the self-expanding insert member in a substantially fixed position within the heart valve and wherein the self-expanding insert member is spaced apart from the stent;
• and
• wherein the self-expanding insert member includes three arms that extend radially outwardly into gaps between the native leaflets, thereby reducing regurgitation when the native leaflets are in a closed position;
• and
• wherein the self-expanding insert member includes an internal passageway extending along a longitudinal axis, the passageway adapted for allowing blood to flow through the self-expanding insert member only when the native leaflets are in an open position.