Devices and methods for positioning and monitoring tether load for prosthetic mitral valve

A method, comprising:

• inserting a tether through an epicardial anchor device, the tether extending from a prosthetic heart valve implanted within the heart, the tether extending outside of the heart,
• inserting the tether through a positioning device such that a proximal end of the tether extends outside a proximal end of the positioning device;
• coupling the epicardial anchor device to a docking member disposed at a distal end of the positioning device;
• pulling the tether proximally until a desired tension on the tether is achieved;
• positioning the epicardial anchor device at a desired location on an outside wall of the heart;
• after the positioning, securing the tether to the epicardial anchor device;
• and
• releasing the epicardial anchor device from the docking member.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a handle assembly coupled to an elongate member;
• a docking member coupled to a distal end of the elongate member, the docking member including a plurality of arms configured to be releasably coupled to an epicardial anchor device configured to secure a tether extending from a prosthetic heart valve implanted with a heart at a location on an exterior of a ventricular wall of the heart;
• and
• a tether securing device coupled to the handle assembly proximal to the handle assembly, the tether securing device configured to secure the tether extending through the elongate member and handle assembly at a fixed position relative to the handle assembly.