Devices and methods for securing a tissue anchor

A system for ensuring secure anchoring of a cardiac tissue anchor within cardiac tissue in a patient's body, comprising:

• a cardiac tissue anchor deployment system including a proximal handle connected to an elongated flexible tube having a lumen within which translates an elongated flexible tissue anchor tool with a distal tissue anchor thereon suitable for piercing and anchoring into cardiac tissue;
• a tissue contact force regulator assembly adjacent a distal end of the flexible tube including a distal tubular housing arranged to slide proximally within a distal end of the flexible tube, the tissue contact force regulator having a pusher shaft that is in a first position prior to contact between the tubular housing and cardiac tissue and is coupled to move with the tissue anchor tool, the tissue contact force regulator assembly including a spring positioned between the pusher shaft and the tubular housing, wherein after contact of the tubular housing with cardiac tissue, initial advancement of the pusher shaft to a second position displaces the tissue anchor tool to a distal end of the tubular housing and compresses the spring to apply a predetermined force of between 0.5-2.0 N between the distal end of the flexible tube and the cardiac tissue, wherein further advancement of the tissue anchor tool embeds the tissue anchor into the cardiac tissue, and wherein the predetermined force is calibrated to ensure that the tissue anchor securely embeds into the cardiac tissue when the tissue anchor tool is advanced, wherein the tubular housing has at least one cantilevered finger on a proximal end having an outwardly-directed retention tab, and wherein an exterior diameter of the proximal end of the tubular housing fits closely within a lumen of the distal end of the flexible tube, and the retention tab is held flexed inward to interfere with and prevent distal movement of the pusher.