Device and Method for Temporary or Permanent Suspension of an Implantable Scaffolding Containing an Orifice for Placement of a Prosthetic or Bio-Prosthetic Valve

A surgical kit for improving cardiac function, comprising a scaffold or valve support device implantable inside a patient and dimensioned to be received within a human heart, and fasteners for attaching said scaffold or valve support device to the patient, said scaffold or valve support device defining an orifice for seating a prosthetic or bio-prosthetic valve, wherein said scaffold or valve support device has an inner margin or annulus defining an orifice for seating a prosthetic or bio-prosthetic valve and further having an outer margin or annulus that is flexible to conform to a wall of a heart chamber;

• said fasteners for attaching include at least one fastener or fixation mechanism for attaching said outer margin or annulus of said scaffold or valve support device to a heart in a region about a natural mitral valve;
• wherein said kit further comprises a placement and positioning mechanism engageable with said scaffold or support device and particularly said outer margin or annulus for conforming said outer margin or annulus to a heart wall, and in that said scaffold or valve support device further including a membrane extending between said outer margin or annulus and said inner margin or annulus.

A surgical kit for improving cardiac function, comprising a scaffold or valve support device implantable inside a patient and dimensioned to be received within a human heart, and means for attaching said scaffold or valve support device to the patient, said scaffold or valve support device having an inner margin or annulus defining an orifice for seating a prosthetic or bio-prosthetic valve, wherein said means for attaching includes at least one fastener or fixation mechanism for attaching said scaffold or valve support device to a heart in a region about a natural mitral valve, characterized in that said fastener or fixation mechanism includes at least one tether element for securing said scaffold or valve support device to cordae tendenae of the heart, said tether element being threadable about the cordae tendenae and drawable through said orifice prior to a seating of a prosthetic or bio-prosthetic valve in said orifice, said tether element being pinched or clamped between said inner margin or annulus and said prosthetic valve upon seating thereof.