VALTECH CARDIO, LTD. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160113767 | IMPLANT HAVING MULTIPLE ROTATIONAL ASSEMBLIES - Apparatus includes an annuloplasty structure, including: (i) a tubular body portion that is configured to be disposed at an annulus of a valve of a heart, and is shaped to define a perimeter; (ii) a flexible member, disposed within the tubular body portion; (iii) a first adjustment mechanism, attached to the tubular body portion and to the flexible member such that reversible actuation of the first adjustment mechanism reversibly adjusts a first dimension of the body portion by adjusting tension of the flexible member; (iv) a second adjustment mechanism, coupled to the tubular body portion, and reversibly actuatable to reversibly adjust a second dimension of the body portion. The apparatus further includes one or more elongate tools, reversibly couplable to the first and second adjustment mechanisms, and configured to independently actuate the first and second adjustment mechanisms by applying force thereto while the heart is beating. | 04-28-2016 |
20160058557 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GUIDE-WIRE BASED ADVANCEMENT OF A ROTATION ASSEMBLY - Apparatus is provided, comprising (1) a guide member, (2) a tissue-adjustment mechanism having (a) an upper surface and a lower surface, (b) at least one first opening at the upper surface, (c) at least one second opening at the lower surface, and (4) a channel extending between the first and second openings, the channel facilitating advancement of the tissue-adjustment mechanism along the guide member; and (3) at least one repair chord coupled at a first portion thereof to the tissue-adjustment mechanism and having at least a first end that is configured to be coupled to a portion of tissue of a patient, the repair chord being configured to adjust a distance between the portion of tissue and the tissue-adjustment mechanism, in response to adjustment of the repair chord by the tissue-adjustment mechanism. Other embodiments are also described. | 03-03-2016 |
20150297212 | TECHNIQUES FOR GUIDE-WIRE BASED ADVANCEMENT OF A TOOL - Apparatus comprises: (A) a housing ( | 10-22-2015 |
20150272734 | CONTROLLED STEERING FUNCTIONALITY FOR IMPLANT-DELIVERY TOOL - A catheter ( | 10-01-2015 |
20150272586 | PERCUTANEOUS TISSUE ANCHOR TECHNIQUES - A first element ( | 10-01-2015 |
20150230924 | TISSUE ANCHOR FOR ANNULOPLASTY DEVICE - A method is provided, including positioning a tissue anchor along an annulus of a patient's valve. The anchor includes a distal tissue coupling element including (1) a pointed tip to puncture tissue of the annulus, and (2) a longitudinal element extending proximally from the distal tissue coupling element and including an implant-restraining element at a proximal end of the longitudinal element. The tissue coupling element couples the anchor to the patient's tissue. The method includes restraining a valve-repair implant from separating from the annulus by the implant-restraining element, by, subsequently to the positioning of the anchor, facilitating movement between (1) the implant, and (2) the longitudinal element of the anchor, such that the implant-restraining element extends around at least a portion of the implant. The longitudinal element facilitates sliding between the implant and the tissue anchor. Other applications of the present invention are also described. | 08-20-2015 |
20150182336 | IMPLANTATION OF FLEXIBLE IMPLANT - A method is provided, including introducing into a heart atrium, an annuloplasty structure having a sleeve with an elongated tubular side wall and at least one distal end wall having a surface substantially transverse to a lateral surface of the tubular side wall. A first tissue anchor is deployed through the surface of the end wall of the sleeve and into a first portion of annulus tissue. A second tissue anchor is deployed through a portion of the tubular side wall and into a second portion of annulus tissue, such that the first tissue anchor and the second tissue anchor are both deployed consecutively, to extend in a substantially same direction and into a common, substantially planar surface of a valve annulus, the common, substantially planar surface including the first and second portions of the annulus tissue. Other applications are also described. | 07-02-2015 |
20150112432 | CLOSED BAND FOR PERCUTANEOUS ANNULOPLASTY - A method is provided, which includes providing an annuloplasty ring, which comprises (a) a flexible sleeve, and (b) a contracting assembly. During a percutaneous transcatheter procedure, the flexible sleeve is placed entirely around an annulus of a mitral valve of a subject in a closed loop. The sleeve is fastened to the annulus by coupling a plurality of tissue anchors to a posterior portion of the annulus, without coupling any tissue anchors to an anterior portion of the annulus between left and right fibrous trigones of the annulus. Thereafter, a longitudinal portion of the sleeve is contracted. Other embodiments are also described. | 04-23-2015 |
20150105855 | ADJUSTABLE ANNULOPLASTY DEVICES AND ADJUSTMENT MECHANISMS THEREFOR - A method is provided, including, delivering into a heart of a patient an annuloplasty ring structure including a body portion and an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust a size of the body portion of the annuloplasty ring structure, the adjusting mechanism including a housing, and following the delivering, moving the housing with respect to the body portion. Other applications are also described. | 04-16-2015 |
20150081014 | IMPLANT AND ANCHOR PLACEMENT - A method for performing an annuloplasty includes positioning an annuloplasty ring structure along an atrial surface of an annulus of a heart valve. While a distal portion of a tube is longitudinally advanced through a channel of the ring structure, it faces a first portion of tissue of the annulus. A first tissue anchor is anchored to the first portion of tissue, from within the channel, while the distal end of the tube faces the first portion of the tissue. After moving the distal portion of the tube to a second portion of the structure, the second portion of the structure is anchored to a second portion of tissue by anchoring a second tissue anchor to the second portion of the tissue while the distal end of the tube faces the second portion of the tissue. Other embodiments are also described. | 03-19-2015 |
20150012087 | IMPLANT HAVING MULTIPLE ROTATIONAL ASSEMBLIES - An annuloplasty ring is secured around an annulus of a heart valve of a subject by securing an anterior-configured portion of the annuloplasty ring, a posterior-configured portion of the annuloplasty ring, a first commissural portion of the annuloplasty ring, and a second commissural portion of the annuloplasty ring, to respective portion of the annulus. Subsequently, and while the heart is beating, the first commissural portion of the annuloplasty ring is moved inferiorly with respect to another portion of the annuloplasty ring by rotating a respective first adjusting mechanism of the annuloplasty ring structure, and the second commissural portion of the annuloplasty ring is moved inferiorly with respect to the other portion of the annuloplasty by rotating a respective second adjusting mechanism of the annuloplasty ring structure. Other embodiments are also described. | 01-08-2015 |
20140343668 | ANNULOPLASTY RING WITH INTRA-RING ANCHORING - Apparatus is provided that includes an annuloplasty system for use on a subject. The system includes an annuloplasty ring, which includes a sleeve having a lumen, and at least one anchor, shaped so as to define a coupling head and a tissue coupling element, which tissue coupling element is shaped so as to define a longitudinal axis, and is configured to penetrate cardiac tissue of the subject in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The system further includes an anchor deployment manipulator, configured to be removably positioned within the lumen of the sleeve, and, while so positioned, to deploy the tissue coupling element from a distal end of the deployment manipulator through a wall of the sleeve into the cardiac tissue in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tissue coupling element and parallel to a central longitudinal axis through the distal end of the deployment manipulator. | 11-20-2014 |
20140309661 | CONTROLLED STEERING FUNCTIONALITY FOR IMPLANT-DELIVERY TOOL - Apparatus for percutaneous access to a patient's body comprising a first steerable tube ( | 10-16-2014 |
20140276648 | GUIDEWIRE FEEDER - Apparatus for use with a guidewire is provided, the apparatus including ( | 09-18-2014 |
20140243963 | ANNULOPLASTY RING DELIVERY CATHETHERS - Apparatus is provided, including a first catheter having a distal end portion transluminally advanceable to a vicinity of an anatomical site, a second catheter having a distal end portion advanceable through a first lumen and out of the first lumen, and a longitudinal implant, advanceable through the second lumen and out of the second lumen. The first and second catheters are assembled to facilitate sliding of the first and second catheters and of the implant, to configure them to assume a multi-bend formation having first and second bends separating first, second, and third domains. The first domain includes parts of the first and second catheters. The second domain includes the distal end portion of the second catheter, part of the implant, and none of the first catheter. The third domain includes part of the implant and none of the first nor second catheters. Other embodiments are also described. | 08-28-2014 |
20140222137 | TOOL FOR ACTUATING AN ADJUSTING MECHANISM - Apparatus is provided, including a tissue-adjusting member selected from the group consisting of: one or more artificial chordae tendineae and at least a portion of an annuloplasty ring structure. The tissue-adjusting member includes an adjusting mechanism that is configured to adjust a tension of the tissue-adjusting member. The adjusting mechanism includes a locking mechanism configured to restrict adjusting of the tissue-adjusting member by the adjusting mechanism. An elongate member is configured to maintain the locking mechanism in an unlocked state during adjusting of the tension of the tissue-adjusting member by the adjusting mechanism, and facilitate locking of the adjusting mechanism by the locking mechanism. A tool is configured to facilitate actuation of the adjusting mechanism to adjust the tension of the tissue-adjusting mechanism. The elongate member and the tool are slidably coupled with respect to each other. Other applications are also described. | 08-07-2014 |
20140148898 | MITRAL VALVE TREATMENT TECHNIQUES - A method is provided for treating mitral valve regurgitation, including inserting a band around between 90 and 270 degrees of a mitral valve of a heart, including around at least a portion of a posterior cusp of the valve, in a space defined by (a) a ventricular wall, (b) a ventricular surface of the posterior cusp in a vicinity of an annulus of the valve, and (c) a plurality of chordae tendineae of one or more types of chordae tendineae selected from the group consisting of: second-order chordae tendineae and third-order chordae tendineae. The method also includes applying pressure to the posterior cusp by inflating the band. | 05-29-2014 |
20140142695 | CONTRACTIBLE ANNULOPLASTY STRUCTURES - Apparatus is provided including an implantable structure ( | 05-22-2014 |
20140094903 | IMPLANTATION OF REPAIR CHORDS IN THE HEART - Apparatus is provided, including first and second longitudinal members coupled at respective first portions thereof to tissue surrounding the ventricle. The first portion of at least the first longitudinal member is coupled to a tissue anchor, and respective second portions of the first and second longitudinal members are coupled to respective first and second leaflets of a cardiac valve. The longitudinal members are arranged with respect to the tissue anchor and the portion of tissue surrounding the ventricle in a manner which facilitates adjustment of a degree of tension of the first and second longitudinal members to draw the first and second leaflets together. A longitudinal-member-coupling device is coupled to the first and second longitudinal members, and is advanceable toward a ventricular surface of the first and second leaflets, and responsively to draw together the first and second longitudinal members. Other applications are also described. | 04-03-2014 |
20140018914 | OVER-WIRE IMPLANT CONTRACTION METHODS - Apparatus is provided that includes an implant structure, which includes a contracting mechanism, which includes a rotatable structure, arranged such that rotation of the rotatable structure contracts the implant structure. A longitudinal member is coupled to the contracting mechanism. A tool for rotating the rotatable structure is configured to be guided along the longitudinal member, to engage the rotatable structure, and to rotate the rotatable structure in response to a rotational force applied to the tool. Other embodiments are also described. | 01-16-2014 |
20130190866 | ANNULOPLASTY RING WITH INTRA-RING ANCHORING - A method includes positioning an anchor deployment manipulator at least partially within a lumen of a sleeve of an annuloplasty ring, the sleeve having a lateral wall shaped to define the lumen, and the lumen extending longitudinally along a length of the sleeve. A portion of the sleeve that contains a distal end of the deployment manipulator is placed into an atrium in a vicinity of an annulus of an atrioventricular valve. An anchor is deployed from the distal end of the deployment manipulator through the lateral wall of the sleeve into cardiac tissue, while the distal end of the deployment manipulator is positioned such that a central longitudinal axis of the deployment manipulator through the distal end of the deployment manipulator forms an angle of between 45 and 90 degrees with the lateral wall of the sleeve at a point at which the anchor penetrates the lateral wall. | 07-25-2013 |
20130116780 | IMPLANT HAVING MULTIPLE ROTATIONAL ASSEMBLIES - Apparatus is provided, comprising (1) an annuloplasty structure, shaped to define a perimeter, and configured to be disposed at the annulus of the native valve of the patient; (2) a first adjusting mechanism, coupled to the annuloplasty structure, and configured to adjust the perimeter; (3) at least one longitudinal flexible member, having a first end portion, and a second end portion that is configured to be coupled to tissue of the ventricle of the heart of the patient; and (4) at least a second adjusting mechanism, coupled to the annuloplasty structure such that the second adjusting mechanism is slidable around at least part of the perimeter, coupled to the first end portion of the longitudinal flexible member, and configured to adjust a distance between the second adjusting mechanism and the second end portion of the longitudinal flexible member. Other embodiments are also described. | 05-09-2013 |
20130116776 | EXTERNAL AORTIC RING AND SPOOL MECHANISM THEREFOR - A method for repairing an aortic valve of a heart of a patient is provided, the method comprising (1) placing around a portion of an aorta of the patient in a vicinity of the aortic valve, an adjustable implant structure comprising an adjusting mechanism coupled to a first portion of a flexible contraction member; and (2) adjusting a dimension of the aortic valve by adjusting a dimension of the implant structure by rotating a rotatable structure of the adjusting mechanism. Other embodiments are also described. | 05-09-2013 |
20130096672 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GUIDE-WIRE BASED ADVANCEMENT OF A ROTATION ASSEMBLY - Apparatus is provided, comprising (1) a guide member, (2) a tissue-adjustment mechanism having (a) an upper surface and a lower surface, (b) at least one first opening at the upper surface, (c) at least one second opening at the lower surface, and (4) a channel extending between the first and second openings, the channel facilitating advancement of the tissue-adjustment mechanism along the guide member; and (3) at least one repair chord coupled at a first portion thereof to the tissue-adjustment mechanism and having at least a first end that is configured to be coupled to a portion of tissue of a patient, the repair chord being configured to adjust a distance between the portion of tissue and the tissue-adjustment mechanism, in response to adjustment of the repair chord by the tissue-adjustment mechanism. Other embodiments are also described. | 04-18-2013 |
20120330411 | CLOSED BAND FOR PERCUTANEOUS ANNULOPLASTY - An implantable structure includes a flexible sleeve, having first and second sleeve ends, and a contracting assembly, which is configured to longitudinally contract the sleeve, and includes a contracting mechanism, which is disposed longitudinally at a first site of the sleeve, and a longitudinal contracting member, having (a) a first member end, (b) a second member end, which is coupled to the sleeve longitudinally at a second site longitudinally between the first site and the second sleeve end, exclusive, and (c) a first member end portion, which is coupled to the contracting mechanism. The sleeve is arranged in a closed loop, such that first and second portions of the sleeve together define a longitudinally overlapping portion of the sleeve. The implantable structure is configured such that the contracting assembly longitudinally applies a longitudinal contracting force only between the first and the second sites, and not along the overlapping portion. | 12-27-2012 |
20120330410 | CLOSURE ELEMENT FOR USE WITH AN ANNULOPLASTY STRUCTURE - Apparatus and methods are described including an implant structure configured to treat a native atrioventricular valve of a patient, the implant structure including a sleeve having a lumen and at least one end, the at least one end being shaped so as to define an opening. A closure element is disposed in a vicinity of the at least one end, the closure element being configured to facilitate closure of the opening. A contracting mechanism is coupled to the implant structure and configured to contract at least a contraction-facilitated portion of the implant structure. Other applications are also described. | 12-27-2012 |
20120283757 | TISSUE ANCHOR FOR ANNULOPLASTY DEVICE - Apparatus for use with an implant configured to be coupled to cardiac tissue of a patient, the apparatus including: a tissue anchor including: a distal tissue coupling element configured to couple the tissue anchor to the cardiac tissue of the patient, and a proximal implant-receiving element configured to receive at least a portion of the implant and facilitate coupling of the implant to the tissue anchor. The proximal implant-receiving element includes an implant-restraining element coupled to a portion of the implant-receiving element, the implant-restraining element being configured to restrain the implant from separating from the implant-receiving element. Other applications are also described. | 11-08-2012 |
20120136436 | ADJUSTABLE ANNULOPLASTY DEVICES AND ADJUSTMENT MECHANISMS THEREFOR - Apparatus is provided including an implant structure ( | 05-31-2012 |
20120022644 | PARTIALLY-ADJUSTABLE ANNULOPLASTY STRUCTURE - Apparatus and methods are described including an annuloplasty structure configured for implantation along an annulus of an atrioventricular valve of a heart of a subject. The structure includes a coiled element comprising at least one first portion thereof which is flexible and longitudinally compressible, and at least one second portion thereof in series with the first portion, the second portion being flexible and less longitudinally compressible than the first portion. Other applications are also described. | 01-26-2012 |
20120022557 | MULTIPLE ANCHOR DELIVERY TOOL - An anchor deployment tool includes a flexible outer tube, within which is positioned a flexible inner shaft, and a rotating deployment element coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The tool is configured to provide an anchor storage area, which initially stores a plurality of tissue anchors, such that the inner shaft passes through channels of the anchors along entire longitudinal lengths of the anchors, and the anchors are within the outer tube. The rotating deployment element is configured to directly engage the anchors in the anchor storage area one at a time, advance each of the anchors while engaged in a distal direction, and deploy each of the anchors through the distal tube end and into tissue of a subject. Other embodiments are also described. | 01-26-2012 |
20110301698 | METHOD FOR GUIDE-WIRE BASED ADVANCEMENT OF A ROTATION ASSEMBLY - A method is provided including coupling a tissue-engaging element to a first portion of cardiac tissue of a heart of a patient and advancing toward the tissue-engaging element an adjustment mechanism along at least one guide member that is removably coupled to the tissue-engaging element. The adjustment mechanism engages a first portion of a first flexible longitudinal member. A second portion of the first flexible longitudinal member is coupled to a second portion of cardiac tissue. Following the coupling of the second portion of the first flexible longitudinal member to the second portion of cardiac tissue, the adjustment mechanism is slid further along the guide member and coupled to the tissue-engaging element. Using the adjustment mechanism, a length of the first flexible longitudinal member is adjusted between the first and second portions of cardiac tissue. Other applications are also described. | 12-08-2011 |
20110288635 | ADJUSTABLE ARTIFICIAL CHORDEAE TENDINEAE WITH SUTURE LOOPS - Apparatus is provided, including an artificial-chordeae-tendineae-adjustment mechanism and at least one primary artificial chordea tendinea coupled at a distal portion thereof to the artificial-chordeae-tendineae-adjustment mechanism. A degree of tension of the at least one primary artificial chordea tendinea is adjustable by the artificial-chordeae-tendineae-adjustment mechanism. One or more loops are coupled at a proximal portion of the at least one primary artificial chordea tendinea. The one or more loops are configured to facilitate suturing of the one or more loops to respective portions of a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve of a patient. Other applications are also described. | 11-24-2011 |
20110166649 | ANNULOPLASTY DEVICES AND METHODS OF DELIVER THEREFOR - Apparatus is provided, including a tube ( | 07-07-2011 |
20110106247 | TISSUE ANCHOR FOR ANNULOPLASTY DEVICE - Apparatus is provided for use with an implant, the apparatus including a tissue anchor, which comprises a distal tissue coupling element, which is configured to penetrate cardiac tissue, and a proximal implant-penetrating element configured to penetrate the implant. The proximal implant-penetrating element is shaped so as to define a passage therethrough, which passage has at least two openings that are within 1 mm of a proximal end of the implant-penetrating element. The apparatus also comprises a cord configured to be removably passed through the passage. Other applications of the present invention are also described. | 05-05-2011 |
20110106245 | APPARATUS FOR GUIDE-WIRE BASED ADVANCEMENT OF A ROTATION ASSEMBLY - Apparatus is provided for use with at least one tissue-adjustment device, including a tissue-engaging element having a distal portion configured to engage at least a first portion of tissue of a patient, and having a proximal portion. At least one docking station is coupled to the proximal portion of the tissue-engaging element and is configured to be coupled to the at least one tissue-adjustment device. The docking station includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the tissue-adjustment device to the tissue-engaging element. At least one guide member is reversibly coupled to the at least one docking station and is configured for facilitating slidable advancement of the at least one tissue-adjustment device toward the tissue-engaging element. Other applications are also described. | 05-05-2011 |
20100286767 | ANNULOPLASTY RING WITH INTRA-RING ANCHORING - Apparatus is provided that includes an annuloplasty system for use on a subject. The system includes an annuloplasty ring, which includes a sleeve having a lumen, and at least one anchor, shaped so as to define a coupling head and a tissue coupling element, which tissue coupling element is shaped so as to define a longitudinal axis, and is configured to penetrate cardiac tissue of the subject in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The system further includes an anchor deployment manipulator, configured to be removably positioned within the lumen of the sleeve, and, while so positioned, to deploy the tissue coupling element from a distal end of the deployment manipulator through a wall of the sleeve into the cardiac tissue in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tissue coupling element and parallel to a central longitudinal axis through the distal end of the deployment manipulator. | 11-11-2010 |
20100280605 | DEPLOYMENT TECHNIQUES FOR ANNULOPLASTY RING - An anchor driver is provided that includes a driver head having a flexible ring. An anchor is provided that includes a coupling head, which is shaped so as to define: (a) one or more mating elements that engage mechanical coupling elements of the driver head such that rotation of the mechanical coupling elements rotates the mating elements, which in turn rotate the coupling head, and (b) an outer coupling surface, sized to be inserted into and engage the flexible ring. The anchor also includes a tissue coupling element fixed to the coupling head. The rotation of the mechanical coupling elements causes the tissue coupling element of the anchor to screw itself into tissue, thereby causing separation of: (a) the outer coupling surface of the coupling head from the flexible ring, and (b) the mating elements of the coupling head from the corresponding mechanical coupling elements. Other embodiments are also described. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280604 | OVER-WIRE ROTATION TOOL - Apparatus is provided that includes an implant structure, which includes a contracting mechanism, which includes a rotatable structure, arranged such that rotation of the rotatable structure contracts the implant structure. A longitudinal member is coupled to the contracting mechanism. A tool for rotating the rotatable structure is configured to be guided along the longitudinal member, to engage the rotatable structure, and to rotate the rotatable structure in response to a rotational force applied to the tool. Other embodiments are also described. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280603 | IMPLANTATION OF REPAIR CHORDS IN THE HEART - A method is provided, including advancing a distal end of an inner shall of a delivery tool between leaflets of an atrioventricular valve, of a patient and into a ventricle of the patient. The method further includes, while maintaining the distal end of the inner shaft in place and within the ventricle, proximally withdrawing a surrounding shaft of the delivery tool with respect to the distal end of the inner shaft and toward the leaflets. This surrounding shaft surrounds a portion of the inner shaft. The method additionally includes using the surrounding shaft to engage at least one of the leaflets with at least one leaflet-engaging element. After engaging, the distal end of the inner shaft is proximally withdrawn from within the ventricle. Other applications are also described. | 11-04-2010 |
20100161047 | ADJUSTABLE PARTIAL ANNULOPLASTY RING AND MECHANISM THEREFOR - Apparatus is provided that is configured to be implanted in a body of a subject, comprising an implant structure having first and second portions thereof, a spool coupled to the implant structure in a vicinity of the first portion thereof, and a flexible member coupled at a first end thereof to the spool, and not attached at a second end thereof to the spool. The flexible member, in response to rotation of the spool in a first direction thereof, is configured to be wound around the spool, and, responsively, to pull the second end of the flexible member toward the first end of the implant structure, and responsively to draw the first and second portions of the implant structure toward each other. Other embodiments are also described. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161043 | IMPLANTATION OF REPAIR CHORDS IN THE HEART - Apparatus is provided for adjusting at least one dimension of an implant, including a rotatable structure having first and second openings and a channel extending between the first and second openings. The channel allows passage therethrough of an elongate tool. The second end of the structure has a lower surface having one or more recesses along a circumference thereof. A mechanical element provides a protrusion that is disposed within one of the recesses of the rotatable structure during a resting state of the mechanical element, in a manner that restricts rotation of the rotatable structure. The mechanical clement comprises a depressible portion coupled to the protrusion disposed in communication with the second opening of the lower surface, and configured to dislodge the protrusion from within the recess in response to a force applied thereto by the elongate tool. Other applications are also described. | 06-24-2010 |
20090259307 | SEGMENTED RING PLACEMENT - Apparatus is provided for repairing a valve of a heart of a patient which includes an annulus and at least first and second leaflets. The apparatus includes an annuloplasty structure, a plurality of tissue anchors, and a plurality of flexible longitudinal guide members removably coupled to the structure. Each of the guide members is configured to facilitate anchoring of the annuloplasty structure to the annulus of the patient by a respective one of the anchors. The guide members are configured to be advanced toward the annulus simultaneously with the annuloplasty structure. Other embodiments are also described. | 10-15-2009 |
20080262609 | SEGMENTED RING PLACEMENT - Apparatus is provided for repairing a valve of a patient, the valve including an annulus and at least first and second leaflets. The apparatus includes at least a first discrete segment and a second discrete segment of an annuloplasty structure, each segment being shaped to provide a respective lateral wall, each lateral wall being shaped to define at least one lumen of the respective segment. The apparatus further includes at least a first and a second control wire, each control wire configured for sliding advancement through both the first and second segments. The first control wire is configured to control a relative disposition of a first end of the first segment and a first end of the second segment. The second control wire is configured to control a relative disposition of a second end of the first segment and a second end of the second segment. Other embodiments are also described. | 10-23-2008 |