Patent ID: 7377941

Claim:
An annuloplasty device, configured to support a heart valve having an annulus that defines a perimeter around the valve, said annuloplasty device comprising: a body, comprising: an anterior portion; a posterior portion; two lateral portions corresponding to intersections of said anterior portion and said posterior portion; wherein said annuloplasty device has a first shape in a first configuration and a second shape in a second configuration; wherein said annuloplasty device is configured to transform from said first configuration to said second configuration in response to a first activation energy applied thereto; and wherein said transformation is configured to reduce a distance between said anterior portion and said posterior portion without substantially decreasing a distance between said two lateral portions; and a flexible member coupled to the body; wherein the flexible member is configured such that, when the annuloplasty device is secured to the heart, the flexible member is anchorable to heart tissue at or adjacent to the annulus, along at least a portion of the perimeter, the portion of the perimeter extending between fibrous trigones of the heart.