Patent ID: 8454492
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for attaching flexible material to soft tissue in a patient's body, including: providing a soft tissue anchor formed from absorbable material, the anchor comprising: providing a flexible material and securing the soft tissue anchor to the flexible material; providing an introducer tool having an elongated body and a point on a distal end of the body; engaging the introducer tool with the soft tissue anchor, including inserting the elongated body of introducer tool into the bore of the tissue anchor and positioning the tool with respect to the anchor with the point of the tool body extending beyond the distal end of the anchor central portion; inserting the anchor and securing the flexible material to soft tissue in the patient by manipulating the introducer tool and the soft tissue anchor to engage the anchor into soft tissue; releasing the soft tissue anchor from the introducer tool and removing the introducer tool from the patient, including retracting the point of the tool body through the central portion of the anchor; and causing the soft tissue anchor to be absorbed by the patient's body.