Abstract: Valvular regurgitation is addressed by implanting devices at or near a native valve to treat leaflet issues. This can be done by treating the leaflets and/or by treating one or more natural chordae tendineae (chords). Treating the leaflets can include methods and devices that bring different leaflets together, and/or inhibiting or arresting a leaflet from billowing and/or flailing into the atrium. Treating the chords can include methods and devices that shorten chords, that increase tension in the chords, that attach chords to the ventricle wall or to each other, and the like. In each of the disclosed methods and devices, coaptation is increased and/or valvular regurgitation is reduced. The disclosed devices and methods can be performed on a beating heart.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a suture attachment mechanism for maintaining a connection to a heart valve after initial deployment, thereby allowing recapture of the heart valve if desired. A plurality of suture portions is provided along a distal end portion of the delivery system, each suture portion having a first end fixed to the delivery system and a second end releasably coupled to a retention member on the delivery system. A knob on a handle of the delivery system is actuated for causing the second end of each suture portion to be released from its respective retention member, thereby allowing the suture portions to be decoupled from the heart valve. The suture portions are located only along a distal end portion of the delivery system for improving reliability and consistency.