植入新型瓣膜成形設備將會更加容易，為不同瓣膜修復手術提供更多選擇。

ATS Simulus瓣膜成形設備是由ATS醫療公司(Minneapolis, MN, USA)生產的，以柔軟的環(ATS Simulus FLX-O Ring)或者柔軟的條帶(ATS Simulus FLX-C Band)形式提供。能夠用于二尖瓣和三尖瓣手術，設計用于維持心臟瓣膜正常的生理功能。這些產品都已經獲得了美國食品藥品管理局的批準。

瓣膜成形環和帶適合用于需要修補心臟瓣膜的患者，能夠完全替代瓣膜。瓣膜的支持結構叫做環面，經常由于嚴重的二尖瓣返流而擴大，可以使用瓣膜成形環來加強。這些環是由柔軟的聚合體制造的，可以縫合在殘余的環面上來支持瓣膜。
 
 
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.