Asymmetric mitral annuloplasty band

An asymmetrical mitral annuloplasty band adapted for implant against a mitral valve annulus, the mitral valve annulus having a posterior aspect to which a posterior leaflet attaches and an anterior aspect to which an anterior leaflet attaches, the annulus generally defining a D- or kidney-shape looking at an inflow side thereof with the anterior aspect being straighter than the more rounded posterior aspect and a minor axis intersecting and extending across the annulus between mid-points on the anterior and posterior aspects being shorter than a major axis perpendicular thereto intersecting and extending across the annulus, and wherein an anterior commissure and a posterior commissure are located on the annulus at the two junctions between the two leaflets with the anterior commissure located clockwise from the mid-point of the posterior leaflet and the posterior commissure located counter-clockwise from the mid-point of the posterior leaflet, comprising:

• an elongated discontinuous body including an inner rigid or semi-rigid core surrounded by a suture-permeable interface, the body defining an asymmetric shape as viewed in top plan view that generally conforms to a portion of the shape of the mitral annulus and extends around the entire posterior aspect ending at a first free end and extending counterclockwise farther around on an opposite side past the intersection of the major axis and the annulus into the anterior aspect and ending at a second free end, wherein the body has a partial saddle shape with a first high point at an upward bow centered at a mid-point of the posterior aspect, two low points located approximately at intersections of the major axis and the annulus when the ring is implanted, and a second high point at the second free end.