SAILLIES RADIO-OPAQUES SOUPLES POUR REVELER LA POSITION D'UN CORDON D'ETRANGLEMENT OU D'UN ANNEAU ANNULAIRE AVANT L'INSTALLATION SUR UN ANNEAU DE VALVE CARDIAQUE
A cord (82) can be affixed to an annulus or adjacent tissue using anchors (75) distributed about the cord to anchor respective regions of the cord to the annulus or adjacent tissue. Anchor launchers (74) (which are supported by support arms) launch the anchors to embed them in the annulus or adjacent tissue. Flexible radio-opaque protrusions (160) protrude distally beyond the anchor launchers. Progressive advancement of an anchor launcher in a distal direction beyond a point at which a protrusion makes contact with the annulus or adjacent tissue results in progressive deflection of the protrusion. This deflection can be visualized using fluoroscopy to ensure that the cord is positioned correctly before the anchors are launched. Some embodiments use an open loop of cord, in which case the cord can subsequently be used to constrict the annulus. Other embodiments use a closed loop of cord to prevent expansion of the annulus.
