A prosthetic heart valve having an internal support frame with a
continuous, undulating leaflet frame defined therein. The leaflet frame
has three cusp regions positioned at an inflow end intermediate three
commissure regions positioned at an outflow end thereof. The leaflet
frame may be cloth covered and flexible leaflets attached thereto form
occluding surfaces of the valve. The support frame further includes three
cusp positioners rigidly fixed with respect to the leaflet frame and
located at the outflow end of the support frame intermediate each pair of
adjacent commissure regions. The valve is desirably compressible so as to
be delivered in a minimally invasive manner through a catheter to the
site of implantation. Upon expulsion from catheter, the valve expands
into contact with the surrounding native valve annulus and is anchored in
place without the use of sutures. In the aortic valve position, the cusp
positioners angle outward into contact with the sinus cavities, and
compress the native leaflets if they are not excised, or the aortic wall
if they are. The support frame may be formed from a flat sheet of Nitinol
that is bent into a three-dimensional configuration and heat set. A
holder having spring-like arms connected to inflow projections of the
valve may be used to deliver, reposition and re-collapse the valve, if
necessary.