| CPC A61F 2/2415 (2013.01) [A61F 2/2418 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0075 (2013.01)] | 10 Claims |
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1. A method of assembling a prosthetic heart valve including a valvular structure, comprising:
disposing a first end portion of a reinforcing member an upper tab of a first leaflet, the upper tab disposed over a respective lower tab;
disposing a commissure member adjacent the lower tab of the first leaflet, the commissure member folded to form first and second layers;
coupling the first end portion of the reinforcing member, the upper and lower tabs of the first leaflet, and the commissure member to one another using one or more fastening sutures;
disposing a second leaflet adjacent the first leaflet such that the first and second layers of the commissure member are positioned between a lower tab of the second leaflet and the lower tab of the first leaflet;
disposing a second end portion of the reinforcing member on an upper tab of the second leaflet;
coupling the second end portion of the reinforcing member, the upper and lower tabs of the second leaflet, and the commissure member to one another using the one or more fastening sutures to form a commissure;
cutting first and second lateral portions of the commissure member such that lateral edges of the commissure member do not extend past lateral edges of the upper and lower tabs of the first and second leaflets;
sewing one or more securing sutures through the commissure such that they extend around lateral edges of the upper and lower tabs of the first and second leaflets to form a plurality of loops;
sliding the plurality of loops axially over a commissure support portion of a frame of the prosthetic valve such that the leaflets are disposed within the frame; and
tightening the plurality of loops to secure the leaflets to the frame.
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