Patent ID: 7066954

Claim:
An annuloplasty system, comprising: a first holder component having an upper surface, a lower surface and a circumferential surface corresponding generally to the configuration of a heart valve annulus, the first holder component further comprising at least one outwardly extending member and the first holder component being deformable from a mount configuration to a reduced circumference configuration; an annuloplasty prosthesis, located adjacent to and extending at least partially around the circumferential surface of the first holder component in the mount configuration such that the outwardly extending member extends alongside a lower surface of the prosthesis, preventing the prosthesis from moving downward and off of the first holder component; a second holder component, coupled to and extending above the first holder component, movable upwardly relative to the first holder component and comprising means for preventing deformation of the first holder component to the reduced circumference configuration until movement of the second holder component relative to the first holder component; and wherein the second holder component is releasably secured adjacent to the first holder component by cuttable sutures.