Apparatus and method for reducing cardiac valve regurgitation

An apparatus for modifying the annulus of a cardiac valve to reduce regurgitation of blood flow through the cardiac valve, said apparatus comprising:

• a first annuloplasty ring having a first diameter and being disposed about a first aspect of the annulus of the cardiac valve, said first annuloplasty ring including a terminal end and a connecting section spaced apart by a predetermined length, said connecting section including a means for disconnecting from a main body portion and a receptacle portion adapted to receive and interconnect with said terminal end;
• and
• a flexible body comprising first and second oppositely disposed strut members having proximal and distal end portions and a cinching mechanism for adjusting said flexible body from a first relaxed configuration to a second tensioned configuration, said cinching mechanism being operatively connected to said distal end portion of said strut members;
• said cinching mechanism comprising a resistance member operatively coupled to said distal end portion of said strut members and a harness member operatively coupled to a pull wire extending between said strut members;
• said flexible body being disposed in a delivery catheter being insertable into said first annuloplasty ring, said delivery catheter comprising proximal and distal end portions and an opening at said distal portion for extending said harness member therethrough;
• said flexible body being adaptable to obtain said second tensioned configuration and to cause said first annuloplasty ring to obtain a second smaller diameter so that the annulus of the cardiac valve is modified and regurgitation of blood flow through the cardiac valve is reduced.

An apparatus for modifying the annulus of a cardiac valve to reduce regurgitation of blood flow through the cardiac valve, said apparatus comprising:

• a first annuloplasty ring having a first diameter and being disposed about a first aspect of the annulus of the cardiac valve, said first annuloplasty ring including a terminal end and a connecting section spaced apart by a predetermined length, said connecting section including a means for disconnecting from a main body portion and a receptacle portion adapted to receive and interconnect with said terminal end;
• and
• an electromagnetic wire having proximal and distal end portions, said electromagnetic wire including a plurality of magnetic members operably connected to said electromagnetic wire and an adjustable mechanism for selectively adjusting said electromagnetic wire from a first relaxed configuration to a second tensioned configuration, said electromagnetic wire being insertable into said first annuloplasty ring;
• said adjustable mechanism being selectively adjustable so that said first annuloplasty ring is adaptable to obtain a second smaller diameter and modify the annulus of the cardiac valve to reduce regurgitation of blood flow through the cardiac valve.