Patent ID: 7311664
Filing Date: 2007-12-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A tissue engaging device, comprising: an elongated arm, the arm being flexible to display multiple configurations, having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis; a tissue engagement mechanism mounted to the distal end of the arm, the tissue engagement mechanism comprising first and second tissue contact members extending from the distal end of the arm and means for spreading the tissue contact members apart from one another responsive to applied tension; a base assembly comprising a fixed base member and a rotatable base member mounted to the proximal end of the arm, the rotatable base member rotatable to provide rotation of the axis of the arm at its proximal end relative to the fixed base member; a tension member extending through the rotatable base member and arm to the tissue engagement mechanism; and a tensioning mechanism mounted to the rotatable base member, the tensioning mechanism operably coupled to apply tension to the tension member to concurrently rotationally lock the rotatable base member to the fixed base member, lock the arm in a desired configuration and spread the tissue contact members apart from one another.