A device for cardiac valve replacement or repair operations

摘要

The device, such as a ring for annuloplasty or a cardiac valve prosthesis comprises at least one support formation (12, 100, 102) of shape-memory material which can have a first, generally contracted shape, in which the formation (12, 100, 102) can be wound on itself or folded for the purpose of locating it in the implant position, for example with low-invasive surgical techniques, and a second, generally unfolded shape, to which the shape-memory material is brought after location of the support formation (12, 100, 102) in the implant position. Anchorage formations (16, 104) are also envisaged, which permit fixing of the device in the implant position.