Patent ID: 8287591

Claim:
A method of repairing a patient's heart function, comprising: providing an annuloplasty ring having a first configuration having a first inner area but configured to assume a second configuration having a second inner area when subjected to a dilatational force, wherein in the first configuration the annuloplasty ring has a generally non-circular shape, in the second configuration the annuloplasty ring has a generally circular shape, and the second inner area is greater than the first inner area; and restoring the functionality of a native heart valve by implanting the annuloplasty ring in a heart valve annulus of the native heart valve, wherein the annuloplasty ring is implanted in the first configuration and the shape of the heart valve annulus is thereby remodeled to provide proper alignment and closure of the native heart valve leaflets; and deploying an expandable prosthetic heart valve within the annuloplasty ring and heart valve annulus; wherein deploying the expandable prosthetic heart valve within the annuloplasty ring and heart valve annulus further comprises: dilating the annuloplasty ring to transform the annuloplasty ring from the first configuration to the second configuration, to dilate the heart valve annulus.