Patent ID: 8142495

Claim:
A system for adjusting the distance between a native heart valve annulus and associated papillary muscles located within the adjacent ventricle from outside the heart and while the heart is beating, comprising: a substantially rigid annuloplasty ring adapted to be implanted at the native heart valve annulus, the annuloplasty ring having an upper side and a lower side, the lower side configured to contact the annulus on the atrial side thereof, the annuloplasty ring further including an upper aperture located on the upper side, and at least two lower apertures located on the lower side that are spaced apart from each other and at least one being spaced from the upper aperture around the annuloplasty ring, the annuloplasty ring further including channels that extend between the upper aperture and each of the lower apertures, at least a portion of the channels being formed on an outer perimeter of the annuloplasty ring and opening outward; at least two flexible, elongate annulus-papillary tension members adapted to adjust the distance between the implanted annuloplasty ring and the papillary muscles located in the adjacent ventricle, each tension member having a length sufficient to extend from a second end at a papillary muscle up to one of the lower apertures in the annuloplasty ring, through one of the channels to the upper aperture, and through the adjacent atrium to a first end at a position outside the atrium for manipulation; and at least two papillary anchors for securing the second end of the tension members to the respective papillary muscles.