US Patent 10350068 Actively-engageable movement-restriction mechanism for use with an annuloplasty structure

Apparatus is provided, including an implant including a flexible longitudinal member extending along a longitudinal length of the implant, and a flexible contracting member extending alongside the longitudinal member and along the longitudinal length of the implant. The contracting member is configured to facilitate reduction of a perimeter of the implant by applying a contracting force to the longitudinal member in response to an application of force to the contracting member. The longitudinal member has first and second ends, and the first end is movable with respect to the second end responsively to the applying of the contracting force to the longitudinal member by the contracting member. The apparatus includes a lock coupled to the longitudinal member. The lock is engageable with the longitudinal member to restrict movement of the longitudinal member.