Patent ID: 7611535

Claim:
A method for affixing a prosthetic heart valve to tissue, the method comprising: providing a fixation band for affixing a prosthetic heart valve to tissue, the fixation band comprising: a structure having a proximal end and a distal end in opposition to one another, and a lateral region between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the prosthetic heart valve is attached to one of the proximal end and the distal end of the structure; a plurality of barbs selectively configurable between a first position and a second position, the barbs being contained within a peripheral boundary of the lateral region of the structure in the first position, and the barbs being extended from the peripheral boundary of the lateral region of the structure in the second position; and an actuator for selectively moving the plurality of barbs between the first position and the second position, the actuator including a spring in a loaded configuration that is releasable for causing a cog to rotate, which in turn causes the barbs to be deployed through the lateral portion of the fixation band; positioning the fixation band adjacent to the tissue; and actuating the fixation band so as to affix the prosthetic valve to tissue.