How to: Visual Basic reading python files

I need to have my Visual Basic program read Python tuples, such as this one:

[''mail_and_plate'', ''Mail and Plate'', [(''mail_and_plate'',0)], itp_type_body_armor|itp_covers_legs ,0, 593 , weight(16)|abundance(100)|head_armor(0)|body_armor(34)|leg_armor(12)|difficulty(0) ,imodbits_armor ],

and to give me sorted tuple attributes (in the proper textboxes I'll create for them), in this case:
ID: mail_and_plate
Name: Mail and Plate
Mesh name: mail_and_plate, 0
Flags: itp_type_body_armor, itp_covers_legs (this in a listbox)
Capabilities: 0
Cost: 593
Weight: 16
Abundance: 100
Head protection: 0
Body protection: 34
Leg protection: 12
Difficulty: 0
imodbits: imodbits_armor (this in a list too)