Methods of dynamic annuloplasty ring sizing

A method for sizing a heart valve annulus, comprising:

• preparing a sizing device including a proximal handle having an actuator, a shaft coupled to and extending in a distal direction from the handle, a generally C-shaped annuloplasty ring replica having a first free end and a second free end and coupled to a distal end of the shaft configured to be adjusted to a plurality of different ring sizes, the annuloplasty ring replica comprising a plurality of articulating segments defining an arc of the annuloplasty ring replica and each segment being pivotable with respect to one or more respective adjacent articulating segment;
• positioning the adjustable ring replica at or near a patient's native mitral valve or tricuspid valve annulus;
• adjusting the ring size of the adjustable ring replica using the actuator until an outer surface contacts the valve annulus;
• and
• determining an appropriate ring size of prosthetic annuloplasty ring for the valve annulus.

A method for sizing a heart valve annulus, comprising:

• preparing a sizing device including a proximal handle having an actuator, a shaft coupled to and extending in a distal direction from the handle, a generally C-shaped annuloplasty ring replica having a first free end and a second free end and coupled to a distal end of the shaft configured to be adjusted to a plurality of different ring sizes, wherein the annuloplasty ring replica is elongated and defines a shape of the annulus being sized and is biased to a maximum ring size, wherein a proportional shape of the annuloplasty ring replica also changes for different ring sizes, and wherein the shaft has a hollow bore and a flexible tension member connects to the actuator, passes through the hollow bore, and extends through aligned channels in a plurality of articulating segments defining an arc of the annuloplasty ring replica, wherein tension on the flexible tension member pivots the articulating segments with respect to one another to reduce the ring size of the annuloplasty ring replica, and wherein the channels in adjacent articulating segments are in different locations relative to a pivot point to cause the proportional shape of the annuloplasty ring replica change for ring different sizes;
• reducing the size of the adjustable ring replica to less than the maximum ring size using the actuator;
• positioning the adjustable ring replica at or near a patient's native mitral valve or tricuspid valve annulus;
• increasing the ring size of the adjustable ring replica using the actuator until an outer surface contacts the valve annulus;
• and
• determining an appropriate ring size of prosthetic annuloplasty ring for the valve annulus.