Prosthetic valve with leaflet connectors

A method for use with a flexible sheet that, in an unfolded state of the sheet, defines a panel at a medial region of the sheet, a first tab portion disposed peripherally to the panel, and a second tab portion disposed peripherally to the panel opposite the first tab portion, the method comprising:

• sandwiching, between the first tab portion and the second tab portion, (i) a first commissural portion of a first prosthetic leaflet, and (ii) a second commissural portion of a second prosthetic leaflet;
• attaching the first tab portion and the second tab portion to the flexible sheet by stitching a first stitching through the first tab-portion, the first commissural portion, the second commissural portion, and the second tab-portion;
• subsequently, covering the first stitching by:
• folding the first tab portion back against itself to form the first tab portion into a first tab having first-tab outer layer and a first-tab inner layer, such that the first-tab inner layer is sandwiched between the first-tab outer layer and the first commissural portion, and
• folding the second tab portion back against itself to form the second tab portion into a second tab having a second-tab outer layer and a second-tab inner layer, such that the second-tab inner layer is sandwiched between the second-tab outer layer and the second commissural portion;
• and
• subsequently, stitching a second stitching through the first-tab outer layer, the first-tab inner layer, the first commissural portion, the second commissural portion, the second-tab inner layer, and the second-tab outer layer.