Pre-sized prosthetic chordae implantation system

An apparatus for implanting a pre-sized prosthetic chordae assembly in a subject, said apparatus comprising:

• a proximal handle;
• a distal applicator end operably linked to said proximal handle via an intermediate portion that defines a longitudinal axis, said distal applicator end comprising opposable first and second jaw members, each of said first and second jaw members including a port for receiving the pre-sized prosthetic chordae assembly;
• and
• an actuating mechanism that extends between said proximal handle and said distal applicator end, said actuating mechanism for actuating said second jaw member.

A method for implanting a pre-sized prosthetic chordae assembly in a subject, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a pre-sized prosthetic chordae assembly, the pre-sized prosthetic chordae assembly including a male attachment unit comprising a plurality of pre-sized prosthetic chordae fixedly connected to at least one male attachment member and a papillary muscle penetration member that is connected to and extends substantially axial to the at least one male attachment member;
• providing an apparatus for implanting the pre-sized prosthetic chordae assembly, the apparatus comprising a proximal handle, a distal applicator end operably linked to the proximal handle and comprising opposable first and second jaw members, and an actuating mechanism that extends between the proximal handle and the distal applicator end;
• loading the female securing member and the male attachment unit onto the first and second jaw members, respectively;
• positioning the distal applicator end about a papillary muscle so that the first and second jaw members are disposed about opposite sides of the papillary muscle;
• operating the proximal handle to actuate the second jaw member such that the papillary penetration member pierces the papillary muscle and is received by the female securing member;
• and
• retracting the distal applicator end so that the female securing member and the male attachment unit are slidably removed from the first and second jaw members, respectively, and remain implanted in the subject.