Low profile flexible pusher rotator

Some heart valve replacement surgeries rely on a median sternotomy or a large right thoracotomy to allow unobstructed access for introducing the heart valve prosthesis into the native valve's annulus and for subsequent rotation of the orifice and leaflets assembly to minimize potential leaflet interference with sub-annular anatomy. A device for releasably holding and positioning a heart valve prosthesis includes a handle having a first end, a second end and a super elastic shaft interconnecting the first and second ends. A connector is positioned at the second end of the handle and includes a plug portion having a pair of raised members and diametrically opposed guide slots. A low profile pusher-rotator is releasably engaged with the plug portion and includes diametrically opposed guide tabs engaged with the guide slots. A manually flexible release portion of the pusher-rotator includes a pair of engagement members engaged in a snap fit with the raised members. The release portion can be manually distorted to release the engagement members and the raised members for separation of the handle and the pusher-rotator.