Abstract: An assembly and associated method for a commissure of a prosthetic heart valve is disclosed. As one example, a method includes: forming a plurality of commissures with the plurality of leaflets, wherein each commissure is formed by: pairing a first commissure tab of a first leaflet with an adjacent, second commissure tab of a second leaflet, coupling a main body of a support strip to the first and second commissure tabs via primary sutures, folding a tab portion of the support strip over the main body, and coupling the tab portion of the support strip to the main body via secondary sutures, and for each commissure, securing the commissure to a respective support portion of a frame of the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve has a frame including a plurality of strut members, an inflow end, and an outflow end. A leaflet structure is situated at least partially within the frame, and a covering is disposed around an exterior of the frame. The covering includes a cushioning layer, and a first strip member folded over an inflow circumferential edge portion of the cushioning layer to form a first protective portion. A second strip member is folded over an outflow circumferential edge portion of the cushioning layer to form a second protective portion. The first strip member and the second strip member are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis of the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a frame having an inflow end and an outflow end, and defining a longitudinal axis. The prosthetic heart valve further includes a leaflet structure situated at least partially within the frame, and a covering disposed around the frame. The covering includes a first woven portion extending circumferentially around the frame and including a plurality of texturized strands or yarns extending along the longitudinal axis of the frame. The covering further includes a second woven portion extending circumferentially around the frame and spaced apart from the first woven portion along the longitudinal axis of the frame. The texturized strands extend along the longitudinal axis of the frame from the first woven portion to the second woven portion and form a floating portion between the first woven portion and the second woven portion.