Less-invasive devices and methods for treatment of cardiac valves

A system for repairing a heart valve in a patient's heart, the system comprising:

• an annuloplasty device configured for attachment within the heart around the heart valve, the annuloplasty device having an attachment portion configured to be attached to a patient's heart, the attachment portion generally defining a plane;
• a device holder releasably coupled to the annuloplasty device;
• an elongated handle for delivering the device holder and the annuloplasty device through an opening in a patient's chest, the handle being attached to the device holder such that the handle, the device holder, and the annuloplasty device together have a profile with a profile height of less than 30 mm, the profile height being in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the attachment portion;
• a retractor sized and configured to retract tissue around the opening in the patient to facilitate positioning the annuloplasty device therethrough;
• and
• a suture organizer having a number of suture holders configured to retain a plurality of sutures in positions outside the patient's chest cavity;
• the suture organizer being attached to the retractor.

A system for repairing a heart valve in a patient's heart, the system comprising:

• an annuloplasty device configured for attachment within the heart around the heart valve, the annuloplasty device having an attachment portion configured to be attached to a patient's heart, the attachment portion generally defining a plane;
• a device holder releasably coupled to the annuloplasty device;
• an elongated handle for delivering the device holder and the annuloplasty device through an opening in a patient's chest, the handle being attached to the device holder such that the handle, the device holder, and the annuloplasty device together have a profile with a profile height of less than 30 mm, the profile height being in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the attachment portion;
• a retractor sized and configured to retract tissue around the opening in the patient to facilitate positioning the annuloplasty device therethrough;
• and
• a suture organizer having a number of suture holders configured to retain a plurality of sutures in positions outside the patient's chest cavity;
• the retractor including a cannula having a distal end positionable in the chest cavity through the intercostal space, a proximal end, and an inner lumen, and the suture holders each include a slot disposed in a proximal end of the cannula around the inner lumen.

A system for repairing a heart valve in a patient's heart, the system comprising:

• an annuloplasty device configured for attachment within the heart around the heart valve, the annuloplasty device having an attachment portion configured to be attached to a patient's heart, the annuloplasty device generally defining a plane;
• a device holder releasably coupled to the annuloplasty device;
• and
• an elongated handle for delivering the device holder and the annuloplasty device through an opening in a patient's chest, the handle having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a longitudinal axis, the elongate handle being coupled to the device holder;
• a pivoting mechanism disposed between the handle and annuloplasty device, the pivoting mechanism permitting pivotal movement of the annuloplasty device relative to the handle in a manner which changes an angle between the plane and the longitudinal axis.