Patent ID: 8048152
Filing Date: 2011-11-01
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of repairing a heart valve, the method comprising: receiving an implantable annuloplasty prosthesis; receiving a tool having first and second jaws, at least one of the first and second jaws being movable relative to the other between i) an open state in which an end section of the first jaw is spaced apart from a corresponding end section of the second jaw, and ii) a closed state in which a spacing between the corresponding end sections is less than the spacing in the open state; transitioning the jaws to the open state; positioning the implantable annuloplasty prosthesis against the end section of at least one of the first and second jaws; securing the implantable annuloplasty prosthesis to the tool by transitioning the jaws to the closed state; attaching at least one suture to heart tissue; passing the suture through the implantable annuloplasty prosthesis while the implantable annuloplasty prosthesis is secured to the tool; pressing an actuator of the tool along a surface of one of the jaws toward the end sections to cause transitioning of the jaws to the open state; removing the implantable annuloplasty prosthesis from the tool while the jaws are in the open state; moving the implantable annuloplasty prosthesis to an implant location; securing the at least one suture so that it resists movement of the annuloplasty prosthesis relative to heart tissue; wherein transitioning the jaws to the open state includes manipulating a single actuator; wherein the tool further includes an actuator mechanism for effectuating transitioning of the jaws from the closed state to the open state, the actuator mechanism including the single actuator and further wherein manipulating the single actuator includes applying a force onto the actuator with a single digit of a user's hand; wherein the tool includes a handle, and wherein the method further comprises grasping the handle within a palm of the user's hand and manipulating the handle to position the implantable prosthesis adjecent a target site prior to the step of passing the suture through the prosthesis; and wherein the step of pressing the actuator to cause transitioning of the jaws to the open state to facilitate removal of the implantable prosthesis from the tool includes applying a pushing force to the actuator with a thumb of the user's hand while simultaneously maintaining the handle within the palm of the user's hand, the pushing force being applied solely by extending the thumb away from the palm.