Annuloplasty ring delivery system and method

Abstract

An assembly for holding a substantially flexible suture guide of predetermined length in a substantially taut position used to achieve a suture line having a dimension equal to the length of the suture guide, such as the circumference about a heart valve annulus. The assembly includes a rigid suture guide holder having a surface against which the length of suture guide is releasably positioned. The guide holder can have a shape or geometry, such as a circumference or circumferential segment, equivalent to the shape or geometry of the intended suture line. The shape of the guide holder can therefore be selected to hold the suture guide in the shape most advantageous to placing the desired suture line. The assembly further includes a mechanism for releasably binding the suture guide to the surface of the holder and a detachable handle extendibly attached to the holder by means of a lanyard so that the handle can be detached to afford an unobstructed view of the surgical site, but cannot be removed from the surgical site until the holder has also been removed.

1 - 30 . (Canceled)  
   
   
       31 . An annuloplasty prosthesis delivery system, comprising: 
 an annuloplasty prosthesis;    a rigid body defining a surface against which the annuloplasty prosthesis is fitted and held in a shape substantially equivalent to at least a portion of the valve annulus, and an outer periphery of the annuloplasty prosthesis extends outward from the rigid body;    at least one suture secured to the rigid body and passing through the annuloplasty prosthesis tautly attaching the annuloplasty prosthesis about the surface;    a handle assembly including a distal housing, the distal housing releasably secured to the rigid body.    
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the suture is secured at both ends to the rigid body with a portion exposed on the rigid body which, when severed, subdivides the suture into two pieces each affixed at one end to the body.  
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the rigid body is formed with two holes that communicate with the surface and through which the suture passes.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the rigid body has a C-shaped portion with its ends connected by a straight side.  
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the annuloplasty prosthesis is fitted about the C-shaped portion of the rigid support body.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the rigid body is formed with only an open C-shaped side about which the annuloplasty prosthesis is fitted.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the surface of the rigid body defines a groove dimensioned to receive a portion of the annuloplasty prosthesis.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the rigid body includes an outer ring support and at least one spoke extending inward from the ring support to which the distal housing is releasably secured.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the spoke includes a post member to which the distal housing is mounted.  
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the post member includes a mechanical interlock releasably securing the distal housing to the post member.  
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising at least one thread looped around a portion of both the distal housing and rigid body, wherein the distal housing is releasably secured to the rigid body by the thread, the thread having a section exposed on the distal housing that when severed releases the handle assembly from the rigid body.  
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 41 , further including a cutting guide formed on the distal housing over which the thread is exposed for severing.  
   
   
       43 . An annuloplasty prosthesis delivery system, comprising: 
 an annuloplasty prosthesis;    a rigid body defining an outer edge about which the annuloplasty prosthesis may be fitted;    at least one suture tautly attaching the annuloplasty prosthesis about the edge and having a portion exposed on the rigid body which can be cut to release the annuloplasty prosthesis from the rigid body; and    a handle secured to the rigid body that may be removed during a surgical implant procedure to allow for easier visibility of the annuloplasty prosthesis.    
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the suture is secured at both ends to the rigid body.  
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the rigid body is formed with two holes that communicate with the outer edge and through which the suture passes.  
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the rigid body has a C-shaped portion with its ends connected by a straight side.  
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the annuloplasty prosthesis is fitted about the C-shaped portion of the rigid support body.  
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the rigid body is formed with only an open C-shaped side about which the annuloplasty prosthesis is fitted.  
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the outer edge of the rigid body defines a groove dimensioned to receive a portion of the annuloplasty prosthesis.  
   
   
       50 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the outer edge of the rigid body is defined on an outer ring support and at least one spoke extends inward from the ring support to which the handle is releasably secured.  
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the rigid body includes a post member on the spoke to which the handle is releasably secured.  
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 51 , further comprising a mechanical interlock between the handle and post member.  
   
   
       53 . The system of  claim 43 , further comprising at least one thread looped around a portion of both the handle and rigid body, the thread having a section exposed on the handle that when severed releases the handle from the rigid body.  
   
   
       54 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein the handle includes a distal housing and cutting guide formed thereon over which the thread is exposed for severing.  
   
   
       55 . A method of delivering and implanting an annuloplasty prosthesis at an annulus implant site, comprising: 
 providing an assembly of an annuloplasty prosthesis and a rigid body, the rigid body defining a surface about which the annuloplasty prosthesis may be fitted such that an outer periphery of the annuloplasty prosthesis extends outward from the rigid body, the annuloplasty prosthesis being tautly attached about the surface with at least one suture attached to the rigid body and passing through the annuloplasty prosthesis, the suture having a portion exposed on the rigid body;    coupling a handle assembly to the rigid body;    delivering the annuloplasty prosthesis/rigid body assembly to the annulus implant site using the handle assembly;    decoupling the handle assembly from the prosthesis/rigid body assembly and removing the handle assembly from the annulus implant site;    securing the annuloplasty prosthesis to the annulus while the annuloplasty prosthesis remains attached about the surface; and    severing the suture at the portion exposed on the rigid body and removing the rigid body and severed suture from the secured annuloplasty prosthesis.    
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the suture is secured at both ends to the rigid body, and wherein severing the suture and removing the rigid body causes the severed ends of the suture to pull free from the annuloplasty prosthesis.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the rigid body has a C-shaped portion with its ends connected by a straight side.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the annuloplasty prosthesis is tautly fitted about the C-shaped portion of the rigid support body with the suture.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the outer edge of the rigid body is defined on an outer ring support and at least one spoke extends inward from the ring support to which the handle assembly is releasably coupled, the method including viewing the annulus implant site through the rigid body.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising a mechanical interlock between the handle assembly and rigid body and the method includes decoupling the mechanical interlock to decouple the handle assembly from the prosthesis/rigid body assembly.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising at least one thread looped around a portion of both the handle assembly and rigid body, the thread having a section exposed on the handle assembly, the method further including severing the exposed portion of the thread to decouple the handle assembly from the prosthesis/rigid body assembly.  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the handle assembly includes a distal housing and cutting guide formed thereon over which the thread is exposed for severing, the method further including inserting a cutting tool in the cutting guide to sever the thread.