Patent ID: 8926697
Filing Date: 2015-01-06
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of valve repair comprising: providing an implantable structure, which includes (a) a flexible sleeve, which defines a lumen and has first and second sleeve ends, and (b) a contracting assembly, which is configured to longitudinally contract the flexible sleeve, and which includes (i) a contracting mechanism, which comprises a housing, and (ii) one or more longitudinal contracting members coupled to the contracting mechanism; placing the implantable structure in a closed loop completely around an annulus of an atrioventricular valve of a subject, such that none of the one or more longitudinal contracting members is positioned along an anterior portion of the annulus between fibrous trigones of the valve; fastening the implantable structure to the annulus; tightening at least a portion of a posterior portion of the annulus, while preserving a length of the anterior portion of the annulus, by tightening the implantable structure by actuating the contracting assembly to cause the one or more longitudinal contracting members to apply a longitudinal contracting force to a longitudinal portion of the flexible sleeve not positioned along the anterior portion of the annulus; and leaving the entire implantable structure in a body of the subject after completing the valve repair.