MINIMALLY-INVASIVE ANNULOPLASTY REPAIR SEGMENT DELIVERY TEMPLATE, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

摘要

An annuloplasty repair segment and template for heart valve annulus repair.The elongate flexible template may form a distal part of a holder that alsohas a proximal handle. Alternatively, the template may be releasably attachedto a mandrel that slides within a delivery sheath, the template being releasedfrom the end of the sheath to enable manipulation by a surgeon. A tetherconnecting the template and mandrel may also be provided. The template may beelastic, temperature responsive, or multiple linked segments. The template maybe aligned with the handle and form a two- or three-dimensional curve out ofalignment with the handle such that the annuloplasty repair segment attachedthereto conforms to the curve. The template may be actively or passivelyconverted between its straight and curved positions. The combined holder andring is especially suited for minimally-invasive surgeries in which thecombination is delivered to an implantation site through a small accessincision with or without a cannula, or through a catheter passed though thepatient's vasculature.