| abstract |
A prosthetic valve assembly for replacing a deficient native aortic valve, comprising a metallic frame (10) having upper and lower extremities, said frame being compressible for advancing the prosthetic valve assembly through a patient's vasculature using a catheterization technique and said frame being expandable for implantation within said native aortic valve; a collapsible valvular structure (14) sutured to said frame, said valvular structure being formed of a biological material for occluding blood flow in one direction; and an internal cover (19) fastened to a wall of said frame for preventing regurgitation of blood through said wall, said internal cover extending along an internal surface of said wall of said frame from said valvular structure toward the lower extremity of said frame. |