Patent ID: 7452368

Claim:
A surgical fastener holding system comprising: at least a first surgical fastener having a first anchor, a second anchor and a connector extending therebetween upwardly from the first and second anchors; a shuttle having first and second channels dimensioned to slidably receive therein the first and second anchors of the surgical fastener, the shuttle further having first and second grooves respectively forming openings into the channels along a portion of a length of the channels, wherein when the first and second anchors are received within the first and second channels, the connector of the surgical fastener extends out of the shuttle through the first and second grooves; a cartridge having at least a first channel dimensioned to slidably receive the shuttle therein, and having a first projection extending into the first channel of the cartridge, wherein when the shuttle and loaded fastener are received within the first channel of the cartridge, the connector of the surgical fastener abuts the first projection to thereby limit movement of the fastener toward a distal end of the cartridge.