Patent ID: 8057490

Claim:
A device for manipulating tissue comprising: an approximating tool assembly adapted for insertion into an abdominal cavity and having a longitudinal shaft, at least two tissue engagement mechanisms, at least one extendible member associated with each tissue engagement mechanism, and a pusher member adapted to move along an axis of the longitudinal shaft; and a handle assembly provided remotely from the approximating tool assembly, the handle assembly comprising at least one actuating mechanism operatively connected to the approximating tool assembly and adapted to adjustably position at least one of the tissue engagement mechanisms at a location spaced apart from another tissue engagement mechanism, wherein each extendible member is adjustable between a collapsed condition in which each extendible member is substantially retained within the longitudinal shaft and an extended deployed condition; each of the tissue engagement mechanisms comprises at least one sharpened point for penetrating tissue that, in a deployed condition, is directed inwardly toward a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal shaft; and the device is operable to approximate the spaced apart tissue engagement mechanisms by moving at least one tissue engagement mechanism proximally and to move the pusher member distally along the axis of the longitudinal shaft and between the tissue engagement mechanisms.