Valve holder

Abstract

A valve holder assembly having a main valve holder and a detachable secondary valve holder for positioning a heart valve prosthesis and a method of implanting a stentless heart valve prosthesis are disclosed.

1 . A method of implantation of a stentless heart valve prosthesis comprising:
 positioning a stentless heart valve prosthesis within a secondary heart valve holder, that is nested within a main valve holder;   suturing a suture ring of the stentless heart valve prosthesis to an aortic annulus;   removing the main valve holder;   collapsing the secondary valve holder and stentless heart valve prosthesis and tying the sutures securing the suture ring of the stentless heart valve prosthesis to the aortic annulus;   extending the secondary valve holder and stentless heart valve prosthesis to an uncollapsed position;   suturing the stentless heart valve prosthesis to the aortic wall; and   removing the secondary valve holder.   
   
   
       2 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising suturing the stentless heart valve prosthesis to the aortic wall at three commissural posts.