Patent ID: 8221454
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for repairing a tear in body tissue comprising: a retaining head for grasping a retaining surface of the body tissue; an anchor for being implanted at a position at least through a portion of the tear; a flexible member coupled to and extending between said retaining head and said anchor, said flexible member having an intermediate portion extending along an insertion surface of the body tissue; a needle defining a hollow interior passage including a pointed distal tip for piercing the body tissue, the needle insertable through a first insertion position on said insertion surface of the body tissue to said retaining surface of the body tissue; a first advancement member slidably disposed in said needle for deploying said retaining head from said needle into an engaged position at said retaining surface of the body tissue; a hollow tube having a blunt terminal end for positioning at a second insertion position on the insertion surface of the body tissue; and a second advancement member slidably disposed in said hollow tube for advancing said anchor from said hollow tube to a position at least partially through the tear.