Abstract: Systems and methods usable in delivering an anchoring or docking device to a native valve of a patient's heart. A distal region of a delivery catheter can be positioned in an atrium of the heart and a. distal tip can be positioned at or near a commissure of the native valve using a steerable sheath. The one or more bends can be generated and/or adjusted in a distal portion of the steerable sheath to manipulate the position of the distal tip of the delivery catheter.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a spiral anchor to a diseased native valve of a heart includes an anchor control catheter and an anchor guide extending from the anchor control catheter. The anchor guide includes a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration. The anchor guide in the rigid configuration includes a proximal section, a middle section, and a distal section. The proximal section includes a straight central axis and extends from the anchor control catheter, the middle section spirals axially and radially outwards from the central axis, and the distal section curves concentrically about the central axis in a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a spiral anchor to a diseased native valve of a heart includes an anchor control catheter and an anchor guide extending from the anchor control catheter. The anchor guide includes a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration. The anchor guide in the rigid configuration includes a proximal section, a middle section, and a distal section. The proximal section includes a straight central axis and extends from the anchor control catheter, the middle section spirals axially and radially outwards from the central axis, and the distal section curves concentrically about the central axis in a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: Delivery systems for delivering a valve prosthesis into the heart. A delivery system includes an access sheath configured to enter the patient's body and/or heart. The access sheath includes an inner lumen for accommodating one or more delivery catheters carrying one or more parts of the valve prosthesis. The access sheath may include a handle for controlling interchangeable access to the inner lumen of the access sheath. The handle may be configured to provide a hemostatic seal between an outer environment and the inner lumen of the access sheath. In some cases, a bending component is configured to bend the access sheath to facilitate entry of the access sheath into the patient's body.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a spiral anchor to a diseased native valve of a heart includes an anchor control catheter and an anchor guide extending from the anchor control catheter. The anchor guide includes a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration. The anchor guide in the rigid configuration includes a proximal section, a middle section, and a distal section. The proximal section includes a straight central axis and extends from the anchor control catheter, the middle section spirals axially and radially outwards from the central axis, and the distal section curves concentrically about the central axis in a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: A method for treating a diseased native valve in a patient includes tracking a positioning tool in a first configuration and a valve delivery device over a tether into a heart where the tether is connected to a spiral anchor in the heart; activating the positioning tool from the first configuration to a second configuration that is stiffer than the first configuration; adjusting, with the positioning tool, a position of the spiral anchor relative to a valve positioned within the delivery device; and deploying a valve from the delivery device to an expanded position within the spiral anchor.