DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR AIDING VALVE ANNULOPLASTY

摘要

A device comprising a reference ring (100) that may be temporarily disposed in abutment with the inferior perimeter surface of a heart valve to aid non-optical visualization of the valve annulus. The reference ring is elastically transformable between a straight delivery configuration and a generally circular or helical deployment configuration. The reference ring may include an inflatable portion that can be temporarily expanded on the inferior side of the valve annulus to deform the valve annulus into a temporary ledge or shelf for apposition with an annuloplasty ring. A system (10) comprising a delivery catheter including a lumen (116) with an exit port (118) , the reference ring being slidably positionable within the lumen and being extendable from the exit port .