Tissue anchor handling systems and methods

An apparatus for use with a tissue anchor and an anchor driver, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing, shaped to define a channel, the channel:
• having (i) an anchor-storage zone and (ii) a proximal opening configured to provide access for the anchor driver to the anchor-storage zone, and
• configured to enable sliding of the tissue anchor therewithin to be stored in the anchor-storage zone;
• and
• a retaining member:
• shaped to define a cradle for cradling and holding the tissue anchor in the anchor-storage zone,
• having a retaining state in which the retaining member is configured to retain the tissue anchor in the anchor-storage zone,
• being disposed within the housing such that sliding of the tissue anchor proximally out of the anchor-storage zone and through the channel causes the retaining member to slide proximally, and
• comprising a pillar configured to support the tissue anchor at the cradle.