ADJUSTABLE CARDIAC VALVE IMPLANT WITH COUPLING MECHANISM

摘要

Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. The energy may include, for example, acoustic energy, radio frequency energy, light energy and magnetic energy. Thus, as the body structure changes size and/or shape, the size and/or shape of the devices can be adjusted to provide continued reinforcement. In one embodiment, an annuloplasty ring (100) includes a tubular member (112) configured to be attached to or near a cardiac valve annulus. The tubular member (112) includes a receptacle end (114) and an insert end (116) configured to couple with the receptacle end (114) of the tubular member (112) such that the tubular member (112) substantially forms a shape of a ring. The insert end (116) is configured to move with respect to the receptacle end (114) to change a circumference of the ring.