Patent ID: 8622886

Claim:
A surgical assembly comprising: a surgical introducer having a handle portion and a needle portion extending outwardly to a free distal end from a first end of the handle portion, and having at least a first retaining device having a projection extending outwardly from the handle portion to a tapered free distal end and in a direction toward a proximal end of the handle; first and second sheath elements each having a proximal end, a closed distal end that is tapered and capable of penetrating tissue, a channel extending therein from an opening at the proximal end to the closed distal end, and a side aperture extending into said channel, said side aperture being defined by a peripheral edge and dimensioned to receive therethrough the projection of the first retaining device; an implant comprised of a substantially flat, flexible, biocompatible material, and having first and second ends coupled to the proximal ends of the first and second sheath elements respectively; wherein the channels of the first and second sheath elements are dimensioned to slidably receive therein through the side aperture the needle portion of the introducer, and wherein for each of the first and second sheath elements when the needle portion of the introducer is so received therein, the sheath element completely encloses therein at least the distal free end of the needle portion, and the peripheral edge of the side aperture is capable of being removably coupled to the retaining device to thereby prevent sliding movement of the sheath element relative to the introducer.