Cardiac valve prosthesis particularly for replacement of the aortic valve

Claim 1

A stentless cardiac valve prosthesis adapted for implantation in a human body part and for having blood flow in a path therethrough from upstream to downstream, comprising: a) an outer tubular member of biological tissue other than valvular tissue having an edge, wherein said edge of said outer member is adapted for attachment to the human body part in the downstream portion of the blood path; and b) an inner member connected to said outer member, wherein said inner member axially projects beyond said edge of said outer member, wherein said inner member has self supporting leaflets with arcuate edges and an extended portion, wherein said connection comprises at least one stitching line having a festoon course with loops following said arcuate edges of said leaflets and wherein said edge of said outer member is at least about 1 cm. from said festoon line, wherein said extended portion of said inner member is adapted for attachment to the human body part in the upstream portion of the blood path, wherein said leaflets are adapted to move between an open position and a closed position and form a conical shape when in the closed position and wherein said outer member and said inner member are stentless.