A catheter device for repair of the heart by implanting an artificial chord (14) is disclosed. The device comprises a leaflet anchor (10) for placement in a leaflet (12) of a heart valve, wherein the leaflet anchor (10) is arranged to be coupled to the artificial chord (14)； a mechanical gripper device (6) for grasping the leaflet (12) of the heart valve, wherein the gripper device (6) comprises a leaflet anchor channel for housing the leaflet anchor (10) in a folded configuration； and a U-rod wire with a U-shaped rod (30) at one end of the wire, with the free end of the U-shape abutting the end of the leaflet anchor (10) and being arranged to push the leaflet anchor (10) toward a proximal end of the catheter device when the U-rod wire is pulled； the gripper device (6) and leaflet anchor (10) being arranged such that when, in use, the gripper device (6) grasps the leaflet (12), the U-rod wire can be used to push the leaflet anchor (10) out of the leaflet anchor channel to pierce the leaflet (12) and form the leaflet anchor (10) into an unfolded configuration so that hooked formations of the leaflet anchor (10) can, in use, secure the leaflet anchor (10) in the leaflet (12).
