MINIMALLY INVASIVE ANNULOPLASTY PROCEDURE AND APPARATUS

摘要

Clips (50) of a self-closing type are used in annuloplasty procedures. Each clip (50) is generally U-shaped with two end points separated from each other when it is constrained to be in an open configuration, but tends to coil up to assume its naturally closed configuration if the constraint is removed. A plurality of such clips (50) in open configurations penetrate the tissue around the annulus circumferentially and then the constraints keeping them in the open configuration is removed such that they pull the tissue together between their two end points and this tends to reduce the diameter of the annulus. A clip delivery device (10) may be used with a plurality of such clips (50) loaded to a clip-holder (40) serving to keep them in open configurations. A pusher (30) pushes the loaded clips (50) out of the device (10) one at a time.