Patent ID: 7857840
Filing Date: 2010-12-28
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of connecting a fastener apparatus with a patient's body tissue, said method comprising the steps of moving a sleeve into the patient's body tissue with a distal end portion of the sleeve leading and a proximal end portion of the sleeve trailing, moving an actuator member into a central opening in sleeve, pressing an end portion of the actuator member against the distal end portion of the sleeve, extending the distal end portion of the sleeve under the influence of force applied against the distal end portion of the sleeve by the actuator member, connecting a gripper with the proximal end portion of the sleeve, pulling on the gripper and the proximal end portion of the sleeve while pressing on the distal end portion of the sleeve with the actuator member, thereafter, removing the actuator member from the central opening in the sleeve, moving a retainer member into the central opening in the sleeve, rotating the retainer member relative to the sleeve to engage an external thread convolution on the retainer member with an internal thread on the sleeve, and disconnecting the gripper from the distal end portion of the sleeve.