Making Heart-Valve Repair Easier

New annuloplasty products are designed to be easier to implant and offer choices that accommodate various approaches to valve repair.

The ATS Simulus annuloplasty products, manufactured by ATS Medical (Minneapolis, MN, USA), are available either in a flexible ring (the ATS Simulus FLX-O Ring) or a flexible band (the ATS Simulus FLX-C Band). They can be used in both the mitral and tricuspid valves, and are designed to maintain the normal physiologic function of the heart valve. The products have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Annuloplasty rings and bands are used in those cases where repair of a patient's heart valve is preferable to the complete replacement of the valve. The supporting structure of the valve, called the annulus, is often dilated due to severe mitral regurgitation and is therefore tightened with an annuloplasty ring. These rings are made of flexible polymers and are sutured to the existing annulus to support the repaired valve.

Genesee BioMedical (Denver, CO, USA), a manufacturer of cardiac surgery instruments and devices, was chosen as the exclusive partner of ATS Medical for the development and manufacture of the new line of annuloplasty products.

"The ATS Simulus annuloplasty product line is yet another vital step in our mission to establish ATS Medical as a leader in cardiac surgery,” said Michael D. Dale, chairman, president, and CEO of ATS. "The dedicated and talented staff of Genesee BioMedical has provided us with the ability to accelerate our entry into the important and growing heart-valve repair market segment.”



Related Links:
ATS Medical
Genesee BioMedical