Systems and methods for guiding and positioning an implant

A method for use with tissue of a heart, the method comprising:

• transluminally advancing a frame into the heart while a wire extends alongside an exterior of the frame;
• within the heart, positioning the frame adjacent the tissue such that the wire becomes positioned against the tissue;
• and
• while the wire remains positioned against the tissue, transluminally advancing a tube over and along the wire and alongside the frame to the tissue;
• subsequently securing an implant to the tissue circumferentially around the frame by:
• transluminally advancing an anchor along the tube, alongside the frame to the tissue;
• and
• anchoring the anchor to the tissue.

A system for use with tissue of a heart, the system comprising:

• a frame;
• a wire extending alongside an exterior of the frame;
• a tube;
• an anchor;
• and
• a delivery assembly, configured to:
• transluminally advance the frame into the heart,
• within the heart, position the frame adjacent the tissue,
• while the frame remains positioned adjacent the tissue, transluminally slide the tube over and along the wire and alongside the frame to an anchor site at the tissue adjacent the frame, and
• anchor the anchor to the tissue at the anchor site.

Apparatus for use with a first device and a second device, the apparatus comprising:

• a sheath for advancing into vasculature of a subject, the sheath defining a lumen therethrough, the lumen, at least at a distal end of the sheath, comprising:
• a major lumen region, and
• a minor lumen region that has a smaller cross-sectional area than the major lumen region;
• wherein:
• the first device is:
• transluminally advanceable through the sheath while the first device is disposed within the major lumen region of the sheath and a control shaft extends, from the first device, proximally away from the first device through the major lumen region, and
• deliverable out of the distal end of the sheath, such that the control shaft extends from the first device, proximally through the major lumen region, and
• the second device is transluminally advanceable through the major lumen region while the first device is disposed out of the distal end of the sheath and the control shaft remains coupled to the first device, by shifting the control shaft laterally out of the major lumen region and into the minor lumen region to vacate the major lumen region for the second device.