Patent ID: 8163010
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method performed on a heart having a valve with a valve annulus, comprising: providing a master staple, a loop, and a plurality of follower staples; connecting said loop to said master staple; closing said master staple into the valve annulus only after said connecting, such that the point of said loop fixed to said master staple is fixed relative to the valve annulus; and engaging the valve annulus and said loop with said plurality of follower staples only after said connecting and said closing said master staple; wherein said follower staples are separate and independent from said loop prior to said closing of said master staple; and wherein said connecting comprises tying one end of said loop to said master staple before said engaging and tying the other end of said loop to said master staple after said engaging.