A method for reducing an axial profile of a valve implant includes
providing a valve implant having a longitudinal axis and a delivery
catheter having a central axis and a distal receiving section. The method
further includes helically rolling the valve implant around a rolling
axis that is offset at an angle of about 15 degrees to about 60 degrees
with respect to the longitudinal axis to form a rolled valve implant
having a rolled axis, where the rolled axis is the same as the rolling
axis. The method further includes aligning the rolled axis of the rolled
valve implant with the central axis of the delivery catheter. The method
further includes inserting the rolled valve implant into the distal
receiving section of the delivery catheter.