Abstract: A valve assembly kit consisting of a plurality of specialized surgical instruments used for a reproducible, standardized technique to rapidly assemble a heart valve in the operating room from autologous tissue. The specialized surgical instruments of the valve assembly kit of the present invention are used to tailor, process (preserve) and assemble an autologous pericardium heart valve in relation with the anatomical configuration of the left ventricle and mitral annulus. The valve assembly kit generally consists of a tissue processing tray that supports the following specialized surgical instruments/devices: a tissue cutting device, an obturator with a removable handle, a valve assembly tray, and a universal stentless valve holder. These specialized surgical instruments will be used to rapidly (15-20 min.) assemble a heart valve in the operating room, at the time of the mitral valve replacement, from autologous tissue.