Patent ID: 7988725

Claim:
Apparatus for repairing a valve of a heart of a patient, the valve including an annulus and at least first and second leaflets, comprising: an annuloplasty structure shaped to define a lateral wall having first and second portions, and to provide a plurality of channels, wherein each channel extends from the first portion of the lateral wall to the second portion of the lateral wall of the structure; a plurality of bars, wherein each one of the plurality of bars is configured to be disposed within a respective one of the plurality of channels; a plurality of tissue anchors that are distinct from the annuloplasty structure; and a plurality of flexible longitudinal guide members removably coupled to the structure, wherein: each anchor is configured to advance along a respective one of the guide members toward the annuloplasty structure, to facilitate anchoring of the annuloplasty structure to the annulus, and the guide members are configured to be advanced toward the annulus simultaneously with the annuloplasty structure.