Patent ID: 8864780

Claim:
An implant delivery system for delivering a sheet-like implant, the implant delivery system comprising: a delivery shaft having a proximal end and a distal end defining a generally longitudinal direction; an implant spreader assembly proximate the distal end of the delivery shaft, the implant spreader assembly comprising: a first arm and a second arm each having a proximal and a distal end with the proximal end of each arm pivotably coupled to the distal end of the delivery shaft, the first and second arms moveable between a closed position and an open position wherein in the closed position the arms extend generally in the longitudinal direction and in pivoting to the open position the distal end of each arm moves in a generally transverse direction; and a center post including a first finger and a second finger defining a slot therebetween; and a sheet-like implant coupled between the first finger and the second finger of the implant spreader such that a first face of the sheet-like implant is disposed adjacent the first finger and a second face of the sheet-like implant is disposed adjacent the second finger, wherein the sheet-like implant is folded when the arms of the implant spreader are in the closed position and unfolded when the arms of the implant spreader are in the open position to spread the sheet-like implant positioned on the implant spreader assembly such that the spread sheet-like implant has a planar configuration that is substantially parallel to an axis defined by the longitudinal direction of the delivery shaft.