Patent ID: 7871368

Claim:
A method for replacing a chordae tendon in a heart, the heart having an apex, a native valve leaflet, a ventricle, and a heart wall, the method comprising: providing a replacement chordae tendinae assembly, the assembly comprising: (a) a tensioning line having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion is configured for attachment to a native valve leaflet; and (b) an adjustable support pad configured for attachment to a heart wall, the adjustable support pad comprising a first surface configured to be placed against and secured to the heart wall, the adjustable support pad configured to receive the tensioning line therethrough and including a locking mechanism configured to slidingly receive the tensioning line in a first direction with respect to the adjustable support pad, and to prevent the tensioning line from sliding in a second direction with respect to the adjustable support pad, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction; passing the tensioning line into the ventricle by passing the tensioning line through the heart wall adjacent the ventricle; securing the first end portion of the tensioning line to the native valve leaflet; sliding the second end portion of the tensioning line through the adjustable support pad; securing the adjustable support pad to the heart wall at a lower portion of the ventricle of the heart; adjusting the length of the portion of the tensioning line which extends from the adjustable support pad to the native valve leaflet; and locking the locking mechanism onto the tensioning line to prevent the tensioning line from further sliding through the adjustable support pad.