Patent ID: 7972347

Claim:
A surgical fastener for connecting tissue, comprising: a male connecting strap having a proximal end, a distal end opposing the proximal end, and a first tissue-connecting mechanism at the distal end; and a female connector having a proximal end, a distal end opposing the proximal end, and an engagement clasp at the proximal end and a second tissue-connecting mechanism at the distal end, wherein the engagement clasp comprises a buckle for securing the male connection strap, wherein the first tissue-connecting mechanism of the male connecting strap and the second tissue-connecting mechanism of the female connector each comprise an engagement clasp integrally connected thereto, the engagement clasp comprising a forked opening including an upper plate and a lower plate defining a cavity therein, wherein each of the first and second tissue-connecting mechanisms comprises at least one row of ratchets extending from the upper plate of the engagement clasp and at least one row of ratchets extending from the lower plate of the engagement clasp, wherein the ratchets are generally triangular in shape having a dorsal ridge ending in the cavity such that the dorsal ridge of the ratchets on the upper plate face the dorsal ridge of the ratchets on the lower plate.