Abstract: An anchor for implantation in body tissue in combination with a line, the anchor comprising a plurality of hooks for engagement with the body tissue, and wherein the anchor is made of an elastic material such that the anchor can be elastically deformed into a folded position from an unfolded position by application of a constraining force. The anchor further comprising a locking mechanism for clamping the line when, and being elastically deformable to release the line for adjustment of a length of the line, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a resiliently deformable locking segment integrated with a wall of the anchor and divided from the wall by at least one slit; wherein the anchor comprises a tubular body section defining said wall of the anchor; and wherein the tubular body section, the locking mechanism and the plurality of hooks comprise a single, unitary structure comprising the elastic material.

Abstract: A catheter device for heart repair comprises a leaflet anchor for placement in a leaflet of a heart valve, wherein the leaflet anchor is coupled to the artificial chord; a mechanical gripper device for grasping the leaflet of the heart valve, wherein the gripper device comprises a leaflet anchor channel for housing the leaflet anchor in a folded configuration; and a U-rod wire with a U-shaped rod at one end of the wire, with the free end of the U-shape abutting the end of the leaflet anchor; the gripper device and leaflet anchor being arranged such that when the gripper device grasps the leaflet, the U-rod wire can be used to push the leaflet anchor out of the leaflet anchor channel to pierce the leaflet and form the leaflet anchor into an unfolded configuration permitting hooked formations of the leaflet anchor to secure the leaflet anchor in the leaflet.

Abstract: A catheter device for repair of the heart by implanting an artificial chord is disclosed. The 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 chord 14; and a mechanical gripper device 6 for grasping the leaflet 12 of the heart valve, wherein the gripper device 6 comprises a leaflet anchor channel for housing the leaflet anchor 10 in a folded configuration; the gripper device 6 and leaflet anchor 10 being arranged such that when, in use, the gripper device 6 grasps the leaflet 12, the leaflet anchor 10 can be pushed out of the leaflet anchor channel to pierce the leaflet 12 and form the leaflet anchor 10 into an unfolded configuration so that hooked formations of the leaflet anchor 10 can, in use, secure the leaflet anchor 10 in the leaflet 12.

Abstract: An implant device (12) for use within the body (22) comprises: a data source (14); and an antenna (32) for backscatter communications with an external communication system (24); wherein the implant device (12) is arranged to control the backscattering properties of the antenna (32) in order to thereby transmit data from the data source to the external communications system. The antenna (32) can have a configuration for backscatter communications that comprises a meandering path extending from a start (42) of the meander at a capacitive coupling fed by a coupling patch (38) to an end (46) of the meander connected to a ground plane (44). The backscattering properties of the antenna (32) can be controlled by one or more electrical switch(es) (50, 52) that change the load and/or geometry of the antenna (32).

Abstract: A catheter device for heart repair comprises a leaflet anchor for placement in a leaflet of a heart valve, wherein the leaflet anchor is coupled to the artificial chord; a mechanical gripper device for grasping the leaflet of the heart valve, wherein the gripper device comprises a leaflet anchor channel for housing the leaflet anchor in a folded configuration; and a U-rod wire with a U-shaped rod at one end of the wire, with the free end of the U-shape abutting the end of the leaflet anchor; the gripper device and leaflet anchor being arranged such that when the gripper device grasps the leaflet, the U-rod wire can be used to push the leaflet anchor out of the leaflet anchor channel to pierce the leaflet and form the leaflet anchor into an unfolded configuration permitting hooked formations of the leaflet anchor to secure the leaflet anchor in the leaflet.

Abstract: A catheter device for repair of the heart by implanting an artificial chord is disclosed. The 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 chord 14; and a mechanical gripper device 6 for grasping the leaflet 12 of the heart valve, wherein the gripper device 6 comprises a leaflet anchor channel for housing the leaflet anchor 10 in a folded configuration; the gripper device 6 and leaflet anchor 10 being arranged such that when, in use, the gripper device 6 grasps the leaflet 12, the leaflet anchor 10 can be pushed out of the leaflet anchor channel to pierce the leaflet 12 and form the leaflet anchor 10 into an unfolded configuration so that hooked formations of the leaflet anchor 10 can, in use, secure the leaflet anchor 10 in the leaflet 12.