Annuloplasty and suture rings

Claim 1

A suture ring for use in surgery for securing a prosthesis in or adjacent to an annular organ structure or stabilizing or shaping a generally annular organ portion comprising, in combination: an elongate braided biocompatible ribbon having ends, elongate edges and a central portion the lateral cross-section of the ribbon generally defining a V-shape the edges extending outwardly from the central portion, means securing the respective ends of the ribbon together thereby configuring the ribbon generally into an annulus, the central portion defining the internal periphery of the annulus, the edges extending outwardly from said internal periphery; at least one drawstring extending around at least a portion of the annulus and through the ribbon selectively to decrease the diameter of the internal periphery of the annulus, the drawstring being disposed adjacent the central portion, the edges extending outwardly from the drawstring; and means securing the edges of the ribbon together, the edges of the ribbon defining the external annulus periphery; the drawstring and ribbon being so constructed and configured that when the draw-string is drawn the internal diameter of the annulus contracts and the width of the annulus increases thereby substantially preventing the ribbon from gathering into irregular clumps as the internal diameter of the annulus contracts.