Abstract: The present invention provides a suture-terminating device comprising a central body having at least one surface, a plurality of flanges extending radially from the surface and defining at least one grove therebetween, each flange having at least one aperture axially aligned and spaced away from the base wall, at least one removable member disposed within each aperture, and at least one spring disposed adjacently to the surface and maintained in its activated state by contact with a removable member disposed within the aperture. The grove has a base wall and at least one sidewall. The spring, while in its active state, is positioned adjacent to and spaced from the base wall, defining a gap of sufficient size to permit the passage of at least one suture therethrough. The surgeon actuates the device by withdrawing the removable member from the aperture, thus permitting the spring to return to its resting state within the grove.

Abstract: An annuloplasty device shaped and sized for attachment to the inner surface of an annulus, the annuloplasty device comprising: a semi-rigid oblong support member having a first end, a second end, a first surface, and a second surface, the first surface including a securing means for securing the first surface to the inner surface of the heart valve annulus, wherein the annuloplasty device is capable of being bent to conform to the inner surface of the annulus such that the first end does not contact the second end.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping an object includes a clamp with a first gripping element and a second gripping element that is connected by a pivot rod and includes a resilient element to maintain the clamp in closed position in the absence of applied pressure, and a release mechanism. An arm with a cable encased by a plurality of tubular, cone shaped segments is attached to the release mechanism, which is in turn attached to the clamp and includes either coil springs or bow springs for maintaining tension in the cable when the clamp is in a closed position, and for releasing tension in the cable when the clamp is opened.

Abstract: A wide-view endoscope comprising a rounded body having an inner surface, a proximal end and a distal end, at least one lens element having an outer surface, a plurality of gaps formed by the inner surface of the body and the outer surface of the lens element, where at least one of the gaps is disproportionate in size by comparison to the remaining gaps, and at least one conduit for the transmission of light from an external light source to a visualized object, the conduit being disposed of in the gaps. Whereby, light is asymmetrically transmitted to the visualized object and the visualized object has a three-dimensional appearance that is produced through the shadowing resulting from the asymmetric transmission of light to the visualized object.