Apparatuses and methods for at least partially supporting a valve leaflet of a regurgitant heart valve

An apparatus for at least partially supporting a leaflet of a regurgitant heart valve, the apparatus comprising at least one subvalvular device defining a longitudinal axis and including:

• a subvalvular supporting portion including a leaflet-contacting upper supporter surface longitudinally spaced from an oppositely facing lower supporter surface, a supporter perimeter wall extending longitudinally between, and integrally and contiguously formed with both of, the upper and lower supporter surfaces, at least a portion of the supporter perimeter wall contacting a subvalvular cardiac wall adjacent to the heart valve, wherein the subvalvular supporting portion is at least partially formed from at least one of braided mesh strands of a first configuration, braided mesh strands of a second configuration, a balloon, a plurality of longitudinally extending struts, and a plurality of laterally extending struts;
• an anchor portion adjacent to, and longitudinally spaced from, the upper supporter surface, the anchor portion including a leaflet-contacting lower anchor surface longitudinally spaced from an oppositely facing upper anchor surface and an anchor perimeter wall extending longitudinally between the upper and lower anchor surfaces, wherein the anchor portion is at least partially formed from at least one of braided mesh strands of a first configuration, braided mesh strands of a second configuration, a balloon, a plurality of longitudinally extending struts, and a plurality of laterally extending struts;
• and
• a connector neck interposed longitudinally between, and attached to both of, the upper supporter surface and the lower anchor surface, the connector neck penetrating longitudinally through at least one of a base of the leaflet and an annulus of the heart valve at a manufactured puncture site.