Stent-valves for valve replacement and associated methods and systems for surgery

Abstract

Stent-valves (e.g., single-stent-valves and double-stent-valves), associated methods and systems for their delivery via minimally-invasive surgery, and guide-wire compatible closure devices for sealing access orifices are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cardiac stent-valve device comprising:
 a stent component having a central axis, and an annular groove;   a valve component housed in a section of the stent component;   the stent component and the valve component being configured in a collapsed configuration for delivery at an implantation site, and in a self-expanding expanded configuration after delivery to the implantation site;   the stent component including a plurality of individual attachment elements projecting integrally from a stent extremity at a first axial end of the stent component, wherein:   the attachment elements:
 are configured for removable attachment to a complimentary structure of a delivery system, and 
 project partially radially inwardly toward the central axis of the stent component when the stent-valve is in the expanded configuration, 
   the annular groove is:
 present in the expanded configuration, 
 arranged towards a second axial end opposite the first axial end, and 
 defined by an annular indentation of the stent component which correspondingly presents an indented interior surface of the stent component, and 
   the valve component extends axially beyond the annular groove towards the attachment elements.