A valve prosthesis which is especially useful in the case of aortic stenosis
and
capable of resisting the powerful recoil force and to stand the forceful balloon
inflation performed to deploy the valve and to embed it in the aortic annulus,
comprises a collapsible valvular structure and an expandable frame on which said
valvular structure is mounted. The valvular structure is composed of physiologically
compatible valvular tissue that is sufficiently supple and resistant to allow the
valvular structure to be deformed from a closed state to an opened state. The valvular
tissue forms a continuous surface and is provided with strut members that create
stiffened zones which induce the valvular structure to follow a patterned movement
in its expansion to its opened state and in its turning back to its closed state.
