Leaflet capture and anchor deployment system

A leaflet anchor deployment system, comprising:

• a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a leaflet connector positioned on a distal end of the catheter, the leaflet connector comprising a helical element;
• and
• a needle positioned on a distal end of the catheter, the needle including a radially enlargeable leaflet anchor preloaded therein and having a suture extending proximally through the catheter,
• wherein the radially enlargeable leaflet anchor is enlargeable from an axially elongated configuration within the needle to an axially shortened and radially enlarged configuration against a leaflet,
• wherein the radially enlargeable leaflet anchor comprises a fabric pledget having a plurality of transverse folds forming a plurality of stacked panels when in the axially shortened and radially enlarged configuration,
• wherein the fabric pledget comprises two sheets having a distal section of leaflet anchor suture bonded therebetween.

A leaflet anchor delivery subsystem, comprising:

• An elongate flexible tubular body, having a proximal end, a distal end, a central lumen, and a needle handle at the proximal end of the elongate flexible tubular body;
• a deployment needle extending distally from the needle handle, the deployment needle axially movably advanceable through the central lumen;
• a foldable pledget leaflet anchor carried within the deployment needle;
• and
• a leaflet connector,
• wherein the needle handle comprises a hemostasis valve.