Patent ID: 7041120
Filing Date: 2006-05-09
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for delivering an anchor member into biological tissue comprising: accessing and preparing an insertion site for the anchor member; holding the anchor member at a distal end of an insertion tool; providing the anchor member to the site with the insertion tool; without requiring rotation of the insertion tool about a longitudinal axis of the insertion tool, causing a rotational movement of the anchor member about a first axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insertion tool whereby the anchor member engages the tissue at the site by moving about the first axis from a first position substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis to a second position at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis; the step of causing a rotational movement of the anchor member about a first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the insertion tool comprising pushing the anchor member with a pusher member disposed concentrically in an outer tubular member of the insertion tool, the pusher member maintaining engagement with the anchor member during the step of causing the rotational movement; wherein the anchor member is initially at least partly disposed in the outer tubular member and further comprising ejecting the anchor member using the pusher member from the outer tubular member and wherein the step of causing a rotational movement comprises using a pusher member having an angled distal surface conforming to and being aligned with an angled surface of the anchor member when the anchor member is at least partly in the outer tubular member and wherein the anchor member has a central longitudinal axis in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the insertion tool when the anchor member is at least partly in the outer tubular member, the angled surfaces of the anchor member and the pusher member being disposed at an acute angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis; and withdrawing the insertion tool from the site, leaving the anchor member secured at the site.