A supporting structure for a prosthetic heart valve, a related heart valve prosthesis, and a storage kit for a heart valve prosthesis

Abstract

Disclosed herein are improved supporting structures for heart valve prostheses that are collapsible to a low profile for delivery to the implantation site at the native heart valve. For example, the improved heart valve prostheses may be collapsed for minimally invasive delivery and then deployed/expanded at the native heart valve (e.g., mitral, aortic) for implantation. Advantageously, the collapsed configuration permits delivery through a small incision in the patient and also inhibits suture entrapment of the valve posts during implantation. The supporting structure includes an annular portion and a plurality of post members arranged along the annular portion that are collapsible for delivery and expandable for implantation. Also provided herein are delivery components that allow for delivery of the prosthesis.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.