초록 ▼

A fully flexible annuloplasty ring is temporarily stiffened during implantation by inserting a withdrawable stiffening wire into a lumen of the ring. The annuloplasty ring has a lumen which is able to hold the stiffener prior to and during insertion. The stiffener includes a portion extending out of

A fully flexible annuloplasty ring is temporarily stiffened during implantation by inserting a withdrawable stiffening wire into a lumen of the ring. The annuloplasty ring has a lumen which is able to hold the stiffener prior to and during insertion. The stiffener includes a portion extending out of the lumen which can be pulled to withdraw the stiffener once the implant has been implanted.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] An annuloplasty implant for implantation into a heart, comprising:a) a substantially annular, fully flexible implant for annuloplastic surgery, said flexible implant having a lumen formed therein; andb) a stiffening element disposed in said lumen substantially throughout the length

[ I claim:] [1.] An annuloplasty implant for implantation into a heart, comprising:a) a substantially annular, fully flexible implant for annuloplastic surgery, said flexible implant having a lumen formed therein; andb) a stiffening element disposed in said lumen substantially throughout the length of said implant;c) said stiffening element including a portion extending outwardly of said lumen;d) said stiffening element withdrawable such that it can be withdrawn from said lumen upon completion of said implantation. [11.] A method of temporarily stiffening an annuloplasty implant during implantation, comprising the steps of:a) providing a flexible annuloplasty implant having at least one lumen;b) placing into said lumen, prior to implantation, a stiffening element having a portion protruding from said implant to allow said stiffening element to be grasped from the outside of said implant;c) implanting said flexible implant by suturing said flexible implant to the tissue in which it is to be implanted; andd) withdrawing said stiffening element from said implant following said suturing step. The method of claim 11, in which said stiffening element is a wire, and said method comprises the further step of polishing said wire prior to placing said wire into said lumen. The method of claim 11, in which said implant has at least two lumens, said stiffener is placed into one of said lumens, and said suturing step is performed by placing sutures through the other of said lumens. The method of claim 13, in which said implant is of curved shape, and said one of said lumens is positioned on the inside of the curve. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of marking, prior to said suturing step, said implant to visually indicate the position of said other of said lumens.