Surgeon performs first implant of semi-rigid annuloplasty ring for tricuspid valve repair
A surgeon with Cleveland Clinic has performed the first-in-human implantation of Corcym's TriMemo technology, a semi-rigid annuloplasty ring built specifically for tricuspid valve repair.
TriMemo was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2026. It uses the same Memo platform that has been used for mitral valve repair for nearly 20 years.
A. Marc Gillinov, MD, chairman of the Cleveland Clinic Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery and Judith Dion Pyle Chair in Heart Valve Research, performed the first-of-its-kind procedure.
"It was a privilege to be part of the team performing the first-in-man implant of the ring for tricuspid valve repair," he said in a statement. "The device performed very well, and I'm encouraged by what we've seen so far."
TriMemo is its first Corcym device specifically for the tricuspid valve. The company said they started with the mitral ring and then modified the design with graduated stiffness to better match the movement of the tricuspid valve anatomy. TriMemo can be used for various surgical approaches, including sternotomy and robotic delivery.
Novel features of the device include a 3D saddle shape, the nitinol core that uses a graduated series of laser-cut cells for flexibility, and an open ring design intended to avoid compression on the heart's electrical conduction system. Annuloplasty rings are used to reshape the annulus to allow a more complete closure and seal of the heart valve leaflets to prevent regurgitation.
Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: [email protected]