Patent ID: 9636219
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: A61F

Claim:
1. An annuloplasty ring comprising an annuloplasty support frame, the support frame consisting of a single rigid curved segment defining a circumference surrounding a ring opening and having a first end and a second end, wherein in a first configuration the first end is positioned against and rigidly secured to the second end via a plastically-deformable connection to form a continuous loop, and in a second configuration the plastically-deformable connection is plastically deformed and the first end is permitted to move circumferentially with respect to the second end and expand the ring opening, wherein the annuloplasty support frame is configured to transform from the first configuration to the second configuration when subjected to a significant radially expansive force in vivo of at least 2 atm, and wherein the first and second ends remain rigidly secured together in the first configuration prior to being subjected to the radially expansive force and the transition from the first configuration to the second configuration occurs suddenly.