Patent ID: 7955385
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A device for aiding implantation of a heart valve annuloplasty ring, the device comprising an elongate flexible shaft having a reference ring defined along a distal portion thereof, the reference ring being elastically deformable from a pre-formed deployment configuration to a straight delivery configuration, the deployment configuration having at least one coil approximating a size and shape of the annuloplasty ring, the elongate flexible shaft having a proximal end sized to extend proximally out of a delivery catheter, wherein the at least one coil of the distal portion of the reference ring comprises a permanent jacket affixed to and permanently encasing a core, the reference ring having a blunt and rounded distal tip, and wherein the reference ring is configured to retract into a delivery catheter after implantation of the annuloplasty ring.