Patent ID: 7914576

Claim:
A method for repairing a cardiac valve, said method comprising the steps of: providing an annuloplasty ring having an expandable support member and an energy delivery mechanism, the energy delivering mechanism including a detachable electrical lead having distal and proximal end portions, the distal end portion including a securing member for attaching the distal end portion to a portion of the expandable support member and the proximal end portion being operably connected to an energy delivery source; attaching the securing member to the portion of the expandable support member; placing the annuloplasty ring around an inflatable balloon in a secured manner; inserting the balloon and annuloplasty ring into an atrial chamber; advancing the balloon until the annuloplasty ring is positioned within the annulus of the cardiac valve to be repaired; expanding the expandable support member with the balloon so that the annuloplasty ring engages the annulus of the cardiac valve to secure the annuloplasty ring in the annulus; delivering electrical energy to the annuloplasty ring via the energy delivery mechanism to secure the annuloplasty ring in the valve annulus; collapsing the balloon; and removing the balloon and the energy delivery mechanism from the atrial chamber: wherein the expandable support member is made from a shape memory material that is responsive to changes in temperature above and below a predetermined temperature transition range, the expandable support member having a first configuration when the temperature is below the predetermined temperature transition range and a second configuration when heated above the predetermined temperature transition range, said method further including the step of cooling the expandable support member prior to inserting the annuloplasty ring into the annulus of the cardiac valve in order to place the expandable support member in the first configuration.