St. Jude Medical has received CE mark approval for the Trifecta valve, marking the company’s launch into the market for pericardial aortic stented tissue valves.

The tri-leaflets are manufactured from pericardial tissue attached to the exterior of the valve stent, which open to perform like a natural heart valve, according to the St. Paul, Minn.-based company.

To provide support within the heart, the valve uses a titanium stent, which is covered with pericardial tissue to allow tissue-to-tissue contact when the leaflets open and close. This design reduces the amount of wear and deterioration, according to St. Jude.

The Trifecta also utilizes Linx, a patented anticalcification technology designed to reduce tissue hardening.