An implantable medical device includes an improved tether catch formed by a relatively rigid structure that has a hook surface extending between first and second ends thereof. The second end of the structure is spaced apart from another portion of the device by a gap of a size no greater than a thickness of a tether, for which the tether catch is formed to engage, when the tether is looped within a delivery catheter. The device may be loaded into the catheter by: positioning the looped portion of the tether in close proximity to the gap of the tether catch； creating tension in the positioned tether to bring the looped portion into a perimeter of the hooked surface； and then pulling the tether so that the looped portion thereof bears against the hooked surface, thereby bringing the device into engagement with a distal-most end of the delivery catheter.
