Patent ID: 7011668

Claim:
A device for fixing a flexible elongated element to a portion of a subject, said device comprising: structure for retaining the flexible elongated element; an advancement mechanism for longitudinally advancing the flexible elongated element from a proximal end of said device toward a distal end of said device with sufficient force to pass the element through the portion of the subject; a securing mechanism for securing the element to the subject and for variably adjusting a securing force applied by the flexible elongated element to the portion of the subject; and a motor, said motor being connected to said advancement mechanism through a first transmission mechanism such that when said motor is energized with a first polarity, said advancement mechanism will advance the flexible elongated element, and said motor being connected to said securing mechanism through a second transmission mechanism such that when said motor is energized with a second polarity, the securing mechanism will secure the element to the subject and variably adjust the securing force.