Deployment techniques for annuloplasty implants

摘要

A method is described for use at a valve of a heart of a subject, the valve having an annulus, and the heart having an atrium upstream of the valve. A distal end of a manipulator is transluminally advanced into the atrium. A first part of an implant that includes an elongated contracting member is anchored to a first site on the annulus using the manipulator. The distal end of the manipulator is then pointed at a second site on the annulus such that a central longitudinal axis of the manipulator is disposed at an angle of 45-90 degrees with respect to a surface of the annulus. A second part of the implant is then anchored to the second site using the manipulator. Subsequently, the first site and the second site are drawn together by applying tension to the contracting member. Other embodiments are also described.