Patent ID: 7442207

Claim:
A device for altering the shape of a heart valve annulus, comprising: a base having an exterior perimeter; a plurality of legs radially arranged about the exterior perimeter and extending from to the base; each leg having a proximal end fixed to the base and a distal end; each leg including a tip engageable with a valve annulus; each leg having an inner section and an outer section, the inner section being fixed to the base at a proximal end of the section, the outer section having the tip located on a distal end thereof, and the inner section and the outer section being slidably connected such that the outer section can telescopically slide along a portion of the inner section; each leg further having a first length and a second length and each being capable of transformation between the first length and the second length; a plurality of adjustment cords each having a first end attached to the outer section of one of the plurality of legs; and an adjustment member that is rotatably connected to the base and a second end of each adjustment cord is attached to the adjustment member such that when the adjustment member is rotated, the adjustment cords are wrapped around the adjustment member and the tip of the outer section of the legs are drawn toward the base.