Prosthesis adapted for placement under external imaging

A venous valve prosthesis having a first configuration for introduction through a blood vessel and a second configuration for implantation with the vessel, the venous valve prosthesis comprising:

• a support structure configured to permit the prosthesis to engage the walls of a blood vessel;
• a leaf structure configured to regulate the flow of blood therethrough, the leaf structure further defining an orifice;
• and
• at least a first and a second imageable element positioned on the venous valve prosthesis and being configured such that the orientation of the orifice within the blood vessel is determinable radiographically while the prosthesis is in the first configuration.

A valve prosthesis, comprising:

• a support structure configured to permit the valve prosthesis to engage the walls of a blood vessel;
• a leaf structure configured to regulate the flow of blood therethrough, the leaf structure further defining an orifice;
• and
• at least a first and a second imageable element attached about the leaflet structure and moveable therewith;
• and
• wherein the imageable elements are position about the leaf structure such that the rotational orientation and functionality of the leaf structure can be determined using a method for external imaging.

An intraluminal prosthesis, comprising:

• a support structure configured to engage the walls of a body lumen, the support structure having a substantially tubular shape and a passageway extending therethrough;
• a structural feature disposed about a first axis transecting the passageway of the prosthesis, the structural feature configured to provide a particular function that is different than that of the support structure;
• and
• one or more radiopaque markers generally disposed about the first axis and indicating the orientation of the structural feature relative to the support structure.

A method of intravascular placement of a valve prosthesis at an implantation site, comprising the steps of:

• determining the orientation of the valve orifice relative the valve support structure and the distal end of the delivery apparatus;
• advancing the delivery apparatus and valve to the implantation site using an approach compatible with the orientation of the valve within the delivery apparatus;
• monitoring the location of the valve using an external imaging guidance system;
• orienting the valve at the implantation site with the assistance of imageable structure located about the valve;
• and
• deploying the valve at the implantation site.

A method of verifying the orientation of a valve prosthesis within a delivery apparatus prior to introduction into a patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing the valve prosthesis that is loaded within a delivery apparatus, the valve including a orifice with imageable structure located thereabout;
• imaging the delivery apparatus and the valve using an external imaging system;
• determining the orientation of the orifice within the delivery apparatus using the location of the imageable structure relative at least one of valve prosthesis and the delivery apparatus;
• and
• verifying that the orientation of the orifice is indicative of a delivery approach that is consistent with that specified by indicia located on at least one of the delivery apparatus, the valve prosthesis, and the packaging material thereof.