| CPC A61F 2/2418 (2013.01) [A61F 2/2415 (2013.01); A61F 2/2436 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0008 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0075 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |

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1. A method of assisting the function of a mitral valve or a tricuspid valve of a patient,
wherein the method comprises a step of providing an artificial heart valve (1) which assists the function of a mitral valve or a tricuspid valve, without removing the mitral valve or the tricuspid valve, in in the vicinity of mitral valve or in the vicinity of the tricuspid valve,
wherein the artificial heart valve (1) comprises a ring (3), a first valve leaflet (5), and a second valve leaflet (7),
wherein the first valve leaflet (5) and the second valve leaflet (7) are connected to the ring (3) at an upper part of the artificial heart valve (1),
wherein the first valve leaflet (5) and the second valve leaflet (7) are connected at a lower part junction (9) existing at a lower part of the artificial heart valve (1), and
wherein the first valve leaflet (5) and the second valve leaflet (7) have, at a lower part of the ring (3), a portion which become narrower in width toward the bottom thereof, and have a shape which is the narrowest in width at a lower end thereof,
wherein the artificial heart valve (1) further comprises an apical junction (10) at the lower part junction (9) or below the lower part junction (9) and the method further comprises a step of contacting the apical junction (10) with a ventricular apex of the patient.
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