	US 7,575,595 B2
	Annuloplasty ring and holder combination
Aaron S. Ingle, Costa Mesa, Calif. (US); Hilda Zhang Fann, Fountain Valley, Calif. (US); and W. Vaso Adzich, Santa Ana, Calif. (US)
Assigned to Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Irvine, Calif. (US)
Filed on Mar. 22, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/386,429.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/664875, filed on Mar. 23, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2006/0217803 A1, Sep. 28, 2006
Int. Cl. A61F 2/24 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 623—2.36

9 Claims

1. An annuloplasty ring and holder assembly combination, comprising:

an annuloplasty ring, the annuloplasty ring having a minor axis, a major axis, and a maximum height, the major axis being greater than the minor axis such that the ring

elongated along the major axis; and

a ring holder, the holder comprising:

a base structure;

a first knob extending from the base structure to a first knob inner edge of the annuloplasty ring, the first knob extending in a first knob direction generally along the minor axis of the annuloplasty ring; and

a second knob extending from the base structure to a second knob inner edge of the annuloplasty ring, the second knob extending in a second knob direction generally along the minor axis of the annuloplasty ring,

wherein the second knob direction is generally opposite to the first knob direction;

first and second radial arms generally extending in opposite directions from the base structure to first and second radial arm inner edges of the annuloplasty ring, the first and second radial arms terminating in first and second ring securing portions;

first and second securing sutures respectively connecting the annuloplasty ring to the first and second ring securing portions, wherein the first and second knobs contact the annuloplasty ring but are not secured thereto, the ring holder thus contacting the annuloplasty ring inner edge at four separate locations and being secured thereto at only two of those locations.