Patent ID: 7618426

Claim:
Apparatus comprising: an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis; a first tube having a bendable distal section located at or near the distal end of the elongated shaft, the bendable distal section having a first state generally aligned with or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft, and a second state in which the bendable distal section defines an arcuate shape relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft; a hollow needle having a piercing tip, the piercing tip having a first position located within the first tube and a second position extended from the first tube; at least one anchor assembly within the hollow needle; a second tube having a tissue grabbing member located at or near the distal end of the elongated shaft; and a link having a first end pivotally attached to the first tube at or distal to the bendable distal section, and having a second end pivotally attached to the second tube at or near the tissue grabbing member, with the link limiting movement of the tissue grabbing member relative to the first tube.