Abstract: A steerable introducer for a catheter device is disclosed. The steerable introducer comprises: a body portion (12) having a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end of the introducer toward a distal end (10) of the introducer, wherein the body portion (12) comprises a flexible distal portion (14) extending to the distal end (10). A hollow (35) is located within a part of the body portion (12) for holding the catheter device during a procedure to introduce the catheter device into the body. There is at least one steering control wire (18, 18) extending axially along the body portion (12) and along at least a part of an axial length of the flexible distal portion (14); and a pair of twisting control wires (16) extending axially along the body portion (12) and along at least a part of an axial length of the flexible distal portion (14).

Abstract: A catheter device is described. The device is for implanting a leaflet anchor (10) into the heart as part of a procedure for implanting an artificial chordae line (14). The catheter device comprises: a leaflet anchor (10) for attachment to the leaflet (12) of the heart; and a leaflet anchor deployment mechanism (6), (30), (38) for deploying the leaflet anchor (10). The leaflet anchor deployment mechanism (6), (30), (38) allows for retraction and repositioning of the leaflet anchor (10) after deployment of the anchor (10) into the leaflet (12) via an ejector unit (36) having a grasping device (50) with a first configuration arranged to permit deployment of the leaflet anchor (10) into the leaflet (12) without disengagement of the leaflet anchor (10) from the ejector unit (34), and a second configuration in which the leaflet anchor (10) is reversibly released from the ejector unit (36).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter device (2) for implanting a leaflet anchor (10) and a papillary anchor (9) into the heart as part of a procedure for implanting an artificial chordae line (14) that extends between the leaflet anchor (10) and the papillary anchor (9), the catheter device (2) comprising: a two-part housing section extending from a distal end (8) of the catheter device (2) along the length of the catheter device (2) toward the proximal end (4) of the catheter device (2), the two-part housing section being arranged to be placed between the papillary muscle and a leaflet (12) of the heart during use of the catheter device (2), and the two-part housing section comprising a distal part (8) at the distal end of the catheter device (2) and a proximal part (4) located on the proximal side of the distal part (8); a leaflet anchor deployment mechanism at the proximal part (4) of the housing section for deploying a leaflet anchor (10) for attachment to the leaflet (12) of the heart; a papillary anchor deplo

Abstract: A catheter device (2) is provided for implanting an anchor (9) into body tissue to attach a line (14) to the body tissue. The catheter device (2) comprises: a housing section (4), (8) extending from a distal end of the catheter device (2) along the length of the catheter device (2) toward the proximal end of the catheter device, the housing section (4), (8) comprising a distal part (8) at the distal end of the catheter device (2) and a proximal part 4 located on the proximal side of the distal part (8). An anchor deployment mechanism (106), (110) is provided at the distal part (8) of the housing section (4), (8) for deployment of the anchor (9) for attachment of the anchor (9) to the body tissue.

Abstract: An anchor (10) for implantation in body tissue (12) to hold a line (14) comprises: an elastic material formed to have an unfolded configuration for placement within the body tissue (12), and a folded configuration for use prior to deployment of the anchor (10) and arranged to permit placement of the anchor (10) into an anchor tube (38) prior to deployment. The anchor (10) is arranged to be elastically deformed into the folded configuration by application of a constraining force, and will return to the unfolded configuration when no constraining force is applied. When the anchor (10) is in the unfolded configuration the anchor (10) has an elongate configuration comprising two anchor pins (82) extending in opposite directions with one either side of a centre (80) of the anchor (10), whilst when the anchor (10) is in the folded configuration the two pins (82) both extend in the same direction; and wherein ends (84) of the pins (82) are arranged to pierce the body tissue.

Abstract: An anchor (9) for implantation in body tissue (26) to hold a line (14) comprises a number of hooks (62) for engagement with the body tissue (26) and having a folded position and an unfolded position, wherein the anchor (9) is made of an elastic material such that it can be elastically deformed into the folded position by application of a constraining force, and will return to the unfolded position when no constraining force is applied, and wherein the hooks (62) are formed with openings (64, 66) along their length, wherein the openings (64, 66) in the hooks (62) comprise slits extending along some or all of the length of the hooks (62).

Abstract: A catheter device is described. The device is for implanting an artificial chordae line (14) in the heart. The catheter device comprises: a leaflet anchor (10) for placement in a leaflet (12) of a heart valve, wherein the leaflet anchor (10) is arranged to be coupled to the artificial chordae line (14); and a leaflet anchor deployment mechanism (6, 30, 38) for deploying the leaflet anchor (10), wherein the leaflet anchor deployment mechanism (6, 30, 38) comprises a mechanical gripper device (30, 32, 32?), for grasping the leaflet (12), wherein the gripper device (30, 32, 32?) comprises a leaflet anchor tube 38 for housing the leaflet anchor (10) in a folded configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an anchor system for implantation in body tissue to hold a line (18). The anchor system comprises an anchor (9), the anchor (9) comprising a number of hooks (62) for engagement with the body tissue and having a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The anchor (9) is made of an elastic material such that it can be elastically deformed into the folded configuration by application of a constraining force, and will return to the unfolded configuration when no constraining force is applied. The end of each of the hooks (62) comprises a tip (160?), wherein the tips (160?) are formed to curve towards a central axis of the anchor (9) when the anchor (9) is in the folded configuration.