Prosthetic valve with improved washout

A method for treating a native valve of a human patient, the method comprising:

• implanting at or adjacent to a location of the native valve a prosthetic valve comprising a plurality of leaflets, each leaflet having a first outflow free edge, wherein each leaflet is moveable between an open position that permits antegrade flow through the prosthetic valve and a closed position wherein the first outflow free edges of adjacent leaflets coapt with each other to prevent regurgitant flow through the prosthetic valve, each leaflet having a gap to allow a flow or exchange of fluid between a front and a back of the respective leaflet when the respective leaflet is not in the closed position,
• the prosthetic valve further comprising a support structure, wherein each leaflet is coupled to the support structure,
• wherein each leaflet includes a first leaflet component and a second leaflet component, wherein the first leaflet component is upstream of the second leaflet component, wherein the-gap for the flow or exchange of fluid between the front and the back of the respective leaflet is disposed between the first and second leaflet components when the respective leaflet is not in the closed position, wherein the second leaflet component comprises the first outflow free edge of the respective leaflet and an inflow free edge unattached to the support structure,
• wherein the plurality of leaflets comprise three leaflets each having the first and second leaflet components, and
• wherein the first outflow free edges of the three leaflets coapt in a tricuspid arrangement.