A valve prosthesis device is disclosed suitable for implantation in body
ducts. The device comprises a support stent, comprised of a deployable
construction adapted to be initially crimped in a narrow configuration
suitable for catheterization through the body duct to a target location
and adapted to be deployed by exerting substantially radial forces from
within by means of a deployment device to a deployed state in the target
location, and a valve assembly comprising a flexible conduit having an
inlet end and an outlet, made of pliant material attached to the support
beams providing collapsible slack portions of the conduit at the outlet.
The support stent is provided with a plurality of longitudinally rigid
support beams of fixed length. When flow is allowed to pass through the
valve prosthesis device from the inlet to the outlet, the valve assembly
is kept in an open position, whereas a reverse flow is prevented as the
collapsible slack portions of the valve assembly collapse inwardly
providing blockage to the reverse flow.
