The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 27, 2008
Filed:
May. 06, 2005
Richard S. Rhee, Anaheim, CA (US);
Emanuel Shaoulian, Newport Beach, CA (US);
Shahram Moaddeb, Irvine, CA (US);
Samuel M. Shaolian, Newport Beach, CA (US);
Richard S. Rhee, Anaheim, CA (US);
Emanuel Shaoulian, Newport Beach, CA (US);
Shahram Moaddeb, Irvine, CA (US);
Samuel M. Shaolian, Newport Beach, CA (US);
Micardia Corporation, Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner. Thus, as the body structure changes size and/or shape, the size and/or shape of the annuloplasty rings can be adjusted to provide continued reinforcement. In certain embodiments, the devices include an anterior portion, a posterior portion and two lateral portions corresponding to intersections of the anterior portion and the posterior portion. The devices have a first shape in a first configuration and a second shape in a second configuration and are configured to transform from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to an activation energy applied thereto. The transformation is configured to reduce a distance between the anterior portion and the posterior portion without substantially decreasing a distance between the two lateral portions.