US Patent 10098732 Prosthetic valve with leaflet connectors

A unitary flexible sheet is folded to define: (i) a panel, defining a plane, and having a first side facing in a first direction away from the plane, (ii) a first tab, disposed on the first side of the panel, and protruding in the first direction away from the panel, and (iii) a second tab, disposed on the first side of the panel, and protruding in the first direction away from the panel. Between the first tab and the second tab are secured (i) a first-leaflet commissural portion of a first prosthetic leaflet, and (ii) a second-leaflet commissural portion of a second prosthetic leaflet. At the first tab, the sheet is folded to define a first cushion at a downstream edge of the first tab. At the second tab, the sheet is folded to define a second cushion at a downstream edge of the second tab.