Apparatus for treatment of cardiac valves and method of its manufacture

Abstract

A prosthetic valve including a replacement valve having a tubular valve body wall, an expandable stent having a framework with first and second ends, and suturing holding the framework to the valve body at the first and second ends. The suturing at the first end is colored differently from the suturing at the second end.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 : A prosthetic valve and delivery system, the valve mountable to the delivery system in either correct or incorrect manners, wherein the prosthetic valve comprises:
 a valve member; and   an expandable stent having a first portion including a first visual indicator and a second portion including a second visual indicator, wherein the second visual indicator is colored differently than the first visual indicator;   wherein the delivery system includes a third visual indicator that is generally the same color as the first visual indicator; and   wherein the third visual indicator is located such that when the prosthetic valve is correctly mounted to the delivery system, the third visual indicator is adjacent to the first portion of the stent.   
     
     
         22 : The prosthetic valve and delivery system of  claim 21 , wherein the first visual indicator attaches at least a portion of the valve member to the first portion of the stent. 
     
     
         23 : The prosthetic valve and delivery system of  claim 21 , wherein the second visual indicator attaches at least a portion of the valve member to the second portion of the stent. 
     
     
         24 : The prosthetic valve and delivery system of  claim 21 , where in at least the first, second, or third visual indicator is a suture. 
     
     
         25 : The prosthetic valve and delivery system of  claim 21 , wherein at least the first, second, or third visual indicator is a symbol. 
     
     
         26 : The prosthetic valve and delivery system of  claim 21 , wherein at least the first, second, or third visual indicator is a pattern. 
     
     
         27 : The prosthetic valve and delivery system of  claim 21 , wherein the first portion of the stent comprises an inflow end of the prosthetic valve. 
     
     
         28 : The prosthetic valve and delivery system of  claim 21 , wherein the first portion of the stent comprises an outflow end of the prosthetic valve. 
     
     
         29 : A prosthetic valve and delivery system, the valve mountable to the delivery system in either correct or incorrect manners, wherein the prosthetic valve comprises:
 a valve member;   an expandable stent having an inflow portion and an outflow portion; and   a first colored indicator to distinguish the inflow end from the outflow end;   wherein the delivery system includes a second colored indicator that is generally the same color as the first colored indicator; and   wherein the second colored indicator is located such that when the prosthetic valve is correctly mounted to the delivery system, the second colored indicator is adjacent to the first colored indicator.   
     
     
         30 : The prosthetic valve and delivery system of  claim 29 , wherein the first colored indicator attaches at least a portion of the valve member to the stent. 
     
     
         31 : The prosthetic valve and delivery system of  claim 29 , where in at least the first or second colored indicator is a suture. 
     
     
         32 : The prosthetic valve and delivery system of  claim 29 , wherein at least the first or second colored indicator is a symbol. 
     
     
         33 : The prosthetic valve and delivery system of  claim 29 , wherein at least the first or second colored indicator is a pattern. 
     
     
         34 : The prosthetic valve and delivery system of  claim 29 , wherein the first colored indicator corresponds with the inflow portion of the prosthetic valve. 
     
     
         35 : The prosthetic valve and delivery system of  claim 29 , wherein the first colored indicator corresponds with the outflow portion of the prosthetic valve.