A device for deploying a tissue fixation apparatus of the type including first and second tissue anchors coupled together by an adjustable suture assembly, the device comprising: a handle mechanism including: a handle body having a proximal end and a distal end and an internal cavity disposed therebetween; a tubular shaft extending distally from the handle body and having a distal end; a plunger slidably and rotatably coupled to the body having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end positioned external to and proximal to the handle body, the distal end positioned within the internal cavity of the body; a handle push rod extending distally from the plunger and slidably and rotatably disposed within the tubular shaft, the handle push rod including a distal mating feature; and a needle cartridge assembly releasably coupled to the handle mechanism including: a needle cannula having an outer wall defining a proximal portion, an opposite sharpened distal tip having a distal opening, an internal chamber extending from the proximal portion through the distal opening, and a needle side opening through the outer wall; a tubular sleeve fixedly disposed about a portion of the needle cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tubular sleeve configured to mate with the distal end of the tubular shaft of the handle mechanism for coupling the handle mechanism and the needle cartridge assembly, and further including a groove and a sleeve side opening radially and axially aligned with the needle side opening; a cartridge push rod slidably and rotatably disposed within the internal chamber of the needle cannula including a proximal mating feature configured to engage the distal mating feature of the handle push rod; and a resilient band disposed about the tubular sleeve within the groove and over the side opening; wherein the device is configured such that, prior to deployment, the first tissue anchor is disposed within the internal chamber of the needle cannula and the second tissue anchor is disposed external to the internal chamber within the side opening in the sleeve, and the plunger, the handle push rod and the cartridge push rod are positioned such that the cartridge push rod operates to prevent the second tissue anchor from entering the internal chamber while the resilient band operates to urge the second tissue anchor toward the internal chamber. a handle body having a proximal end and a distal end and an internal cavity disposed therebetween; a tubular shaft extending distally from the handle body and having a distal end; a plunger slidably and rotatably coupled to the body having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end positioned external to and proximal to the handle body, the distal end positioned within the internal cavity of the body; a handle push rod extending distally from the plunger and slidably and rotatably disposed within the tubular shaft, the handle push rod including a distal mating feature; and a needle cartridge assembly releasably coupled to the handle mechanism including: a needle cannula having an outer wall defining a proximal portion, an opposite sharpened distal tip having a distal opening, an internal chamber extending from the proximal portion through the distal opening, and a needle side opening through the outer wall; a tubular sleeve fixedly disposed about a portion of the needle cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tubular sleeve configured to mate with the distal end of the tubular shaft of the handle mechanism for coupling the handle mechanism and the needle cartridge assembly, and further including a groove and a sleeve side opening radially and axially aligned with the needle side opening; a cartridge push rod slidably and rotatably disposed within the internal chamber of the needle cannula including a proximal mating feature configured to engage the distal mating feature of the handle push rod; and a resilient band disposed about the tubular sleeve within the groove and over the side opening; a needle cannula having an outer wall defining a proximal portion, an opposite sharpened distal tip having a distal opening, an internal chamber extending from the proximal portion through the distal opening, and a needle side opening through the outer wall; a tubular sleeve fixedly disposed about a portion of the needle cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the tubular sleeve configured to mate with the distal end of the tubular shaft of the handle mechanism for coupling the handle mechanism and the needle cartridge assembly, and further including a groove and a sleeve side opening radially and axially aligned with the needle side opening; a cartridge push rod slidably and rotatably disposed within the internal chamber of the needle cannula including a proximal mating feature configured to engage the distal mating feature of the handle push rod; and a resilient band disposed about the tubular sleeve within the groove and over the side opening; wherein the device is configured such that, prior to deployment, the first tissue anchor is disposed within the internal chamber of the needle cannula and the second tissue anchor is disposed external to the internal chamber within the side opening in the sleeve, and the plunger, the handle push rod and the cartridge push rod are positioned such that the cartridge push rod operates to prevent the second tissue anchor from entering the internal chamber while the resilient band operates to urge the second tissue anchor toward the internal chamber.