Patent ID: 6918917

Claim:
A mitral valve repair method comprising the steps of: providing clips each having two end points which are separated from each other when in an open configuration and tending to return to a naturally closed configuration by reducing distance between said end points when in said open configuration; placing an annuloplasty ring about an annulus; and attaching said ring around said annulus by causing said clips to pass through said ring, wherein each of said clips has a tissue-penetrating needle releasably attached through a flexible member to one of said two end points thereof and said step of attaching said ring comprises the steps of: causing the needle associated with said each clip to penetrate and pass through said ring and tissue of said annulus; and thereafter pulling said flexible member to position said each clip so as to hold said ring to said tissue, wherein said needle is caused to pass through said ring at two positions separated by a shorter distance, to penetrate said tissue at one position and to come out therefrom at another position separated from said one position by a larger distance than said shorter distance.