Patent ID: 8882787
Filing Date: 2014-11-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. Selectively deployable tissue anchor apparatus, comprising: a tubular member having an engagement surface, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the proximal and distal portions, the intermediate portion including a plurality of flexible strips connecting the proximal and distal portions, the plurality of strips having a distal end, a first condition in which the intermediate portion has a first circumference and a second condition in which the intermediate portion has a second circumference larger than the first circumference, the tubular member having a relaxed length in the first condition between the distal end of the strips and the engagement surface, the tubular member having a compressed length in the second condition between the distal end of the strips and the engagement surface, the tubular member having a lumen extending therethrough in a longitudinal direction, the lumen having a transverse cross-section in the proximal portion; a longitudinal member having a proximal end, and a distal end connected to the distal portion of the tubular member, the longitudinal member being axially slidable relative to the proximal and intermediate portions of the tubular member, whereby axial movement of the longitudinal member relative to the proximal portion in the proximal direction causes the strips to move toward the second condition, and axial movement of the longitudinal member relative to the proximal portion in the distal direction causes the strips to move toward the first condition; and a latch member disposed on the longitudinal member, the latch member having a transverse cross-section that is larger than the transverse cross-section of the lumen so that the latch member is never freely slidable in the lumen of the proximal portion, the longitudinal member having a fixed length between the distal end of the longitudinal member and the latch member whenever the latch member is axially aligned with the tubular member, the fixed length of the longitudinal member being less than the relaxed length of the tubular member such that the tubular member interferes with the axial alignment of the latch member with the tubular member in the first condition, and the fixed length of the longitudinal member being greater than the compressed length of the tubular member such that the latch member may be axially aligned with the tubular member in the second condition, whereby the latch member is able to engage the engagement surface of the tubular member in the second condition to fix the plurality of strips in the second condition.