Patent ID: 7699870
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for attaching one piece of tissue to another piece of tissue, the method comprising the steps of: providing a surgical fastener including a shaft having a bar extending therefrom at a proximal end thereof, and a fin extending therefrom proximate a distal end thereof, the bar and the fin being aligned with each other; providing an installation tool comprising an elongated tube having at a distal end thereof a carrier portion for releasably retaining the fastener, the carrier portion having at a distal end thereof a cutting edge and an open side portion such that the carrier portion seats the shaft therein and the bar and fin of the fastener extend through the open side portion, and control means for moving the carrier portion out of, and back into, the distal end of the elongated tube; and manipulating the installation tool and the control means to project the carrier portion and the fastener into the tissue and withdraw the carrier portion from the tissue, whereupon the fin resists proximal movement of the fastener through the tissue, causing the fastener to catch on the tissue such that the carrier portion can be removed from the tissue, leaving the fastener in the tissue.