Patent ID: 7361190

Claim:
An adjustable annuloplasty ring, comprising: an arcuate member configured to be attached to or near a cardiac valve annulus, said arcuate member comprising: a receptacle end; an insert end configured to engage said receptacle end of said arcuate member such that said arcuate member substantially forms a shape of a ring; wherein said arcuate member is configured to change, after implantation in a patient's body, from a first shape to a second, asymmetric shape in response to an activation energy; wherein said activation energy is selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic energy, acoustic energy, and catheter-based energy; and wherein said activation energy is a first activation energy, and the arcuate member further comprising: a first section, located between said insert end and said receptacle end, said first section comprising a first shape memory material and being configured to change said arcuate member, in response to said first activation energy, after implantation in said patient's body, from said first shape having a first circumference to said second, asymmetric shape having a second circumference, by movement of said insert end with respect to said receptacle end; and a second section, located between said insert end and said receptacle end and separated from said first section by a boundary, comprising a second shape memory material and being configured to change said arcuate member, in response to a second activation energy, after implantation in said patient's body, from said second circumference to a third circumference, by movement of said insert end with respect to said receptacle end; wherein said second activation energy is selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic energy, acoustic energy, and catheter-based energy; and wherein said change from said first shape to said second shape comprises movement of said insert end with respect to said receptacle end to change a circumference of said ring.