A tissue gripping device (100, 200, 300) comprising: a flexible member (102, 202, 302) formed from a shape-memory material, the flexible member (102, 202, 302) comprising a base section and an arm (106, 206, 306), the arm (106, 206, 306) having a first end connected to the base section, a free end extending away from the base section, and an attachment surface disposed between the first end and the free end; and at least one tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322) formed from a second material, the second material being more rigid than the shape-memory material, the tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322) comprising a mating surface coupled to the attachment surface of the arm (106, 206, 306) to join the tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322) to the flexible member (102, 202, 302), and a tissue gripping surface disposed opposite the mating surface, the tissue gripping surface including a frictional element (128, 328) configured to resist movement of tissue away from the tissue gripping surface after the tissue has contacted the tissue gripping surface, characterized in that the frictional element (128, 328) is formed as a plurality of raised barbs disposed along a side edge of the tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322), and wherein the tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322) includes a plurality of slotted recesses (132, 232) disposed along the side edge at sections adjacent to the raised barbs (128, 328), at least one suture line encircling at least a portion of the tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322) and at least a portion of the arm (106, 206, 306), the suture line being configured to fasten the tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322) to the arm (106, 206, 306), the suture line passing through and lodging within one or more of the slotted recesses (132, 232) as it encircles the tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322) and the arm (106, 206, 306). a flexible member (102, 202, 302) formed from a shape-memory material, the flexible member (102, 202, 302) comprising a base section and an arm (106, 206, 306), the arm (106, 206, 306) having a first end connected to the base section, a free end extending away from the base section, and an attachment surface disposed between the first end and the free end; and at least one tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322) formed from a second material, the second material being more rigid than the shape-memory material, the tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322) comprising a mating surface coupled to the attachment surface of the arm (106, 206, 306) to join the tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322) to the flexible member (102, 202, 302), and a tissue gripping surface disposed opposite the mating surface, the tissue gripping surface including a frictional element (128, 328) configured to resist movement of tissue away from the tissue gripping surface after the tissue has contacted the tissue gripping surface, characterized in that the frictional element (128, 328) is formed as a plurality of raised barbs disposed along a side edge of the tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322), and wherein the tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322) includes a plurality of slotted recesses (132, 232) disposed along the side edge at sections adjacent to the raised barbs (128, 328), at least one suture line encircling at least a portion of the tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322) and at least a portion of the arm (106, 206, 306), the suture line being configured to fasten the tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322) to the arm (106, 206, 306), the suture line passing through and lodging within one or more of the slotted recesses (132, 232) as it encircles the tissue gripping member (122, 222, 322) and the arm (106, 206, 306).