Patent ID: 8617189

Claim:
Apparatus for reconfiguring tissue, said apparatus comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; at least one effector mechanism movably mounted to said distal end of said shaft, each said effector mechanism comprising at least one gripping element for gripping tissue to that effector mechanism, said at least one effector mechanism being configured to capture the gripped tissue against said shaft; at least one actuating mechanism mounted to said proximal end of said shaft; at least one connection mechanism connecting said at least one actuating mechanism to said at least one effector mechanism, whereby a user may utilize said at least one actuating mechanism to actuate said at least one effector mechanism so as to reconfigure tissue; wherein said at least one effector mechanism comprises two effector mechanisms; wherein said two effector mechanisms are pivotally mounted to said shaft; wherein said distal end of said shaft comprises a longitudinal axis, and further wherein said two effector mechanisms are pivotally mounted to said shaft along a pivot axis extending parallel to said longitudinal axis of said distal end of said shaft; and wherein said two effector mechanisms are configured to move between (i) a closed position wherein said two effector mechanisms fold concentrically about said distal end of said shaft, and (ii) an open position wherein said two effector mechanisms rise like wings over said shaft.