| abstract |
The present invention relates to a medical device, and in particular, to a stent-based valve. The valve has a radially expandable structural frame having a substantially cylindrical configuration with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between. The structural frame is formed from a lattice of interconnected elements and has a plurality of distal crowns. A biocompatible membrane assembly maintaining a substantially cylindrical shape about the longitudinal axis is attached to the structural frame such that the structural frame supports the biocompatible membrane assembly in a slack condition between the distal crowns. |