Patent ID: 7942927

Claim:
A device for treating valve failure in a patient, the device having: (a) one or more engaging zones for engaging the device with a valve annulus of the valve being treated; (b) pre-disposition means for changing the geometry of the device to a predetermined configuration suitable for constricting the valve annulus; and (c) releasably engageable expansion means including one or more struts configured to expand the periphery of the device to substantially match the internal diameter geometry of the valve annulus wherein the device is compressible within a delivery lumen for percutaneous delivery to the valve, and wherein the one or more struts facilitate expansion of the device when released from the delivery lumen to facilitate engagement of one or more engaging zones of the device with the untreated valve annulus, and wherein upon release of the one or more struts the device assumes the predetermined configuration and constricts the valve annulus facilitating substantial closure of leaflets of the valve.