Patent ID: 8535339

Claim:
A device for delivering a plurality of sutures, one at a time, into tissue of a patient, the device comprising: a handle including a trigger; a shaft extending from the handle along a longitudinal axis; an applicator section configured to be movable off of the longitudinal axis, the plurality of sutures disposed within the applicator section, each of the plurality of sutures formed as a single piece with a first terminating end and a second terminating end, one of the first and second terminating ends of each of the sutures including a hook and the other one of the first and second terminating ends of each of the sutures including a loop; a first push rod disposed at least partially within the applicator section, the first push rod comprising a first member at a distal end of the first push rod and engagable with the first terminating end of a first one of the sutures; and a second push rod disposed at least partially within the applicator section, the second push rod comprising a second member comprising a flexible, pre-shaped portion, the second member at a distal end of the second push rod and engagable with the second terminating end of the first one of the sutures wherein the sutures further comprise a first needle interface hook on the first terminating end to interface with the first member, and a second needle interface hook on the second terminating end to interface with the second member, operation of the trigger causing the first member, carrying the first terminating end of the first one of the sutures, to extend out of the applicator section and penetrate the patient's tissue along a straight path, the second member, carrying the second terminating end of the first one of the sutures, to extend straight out of the applicator section and parallel to the first member for a certain distance and then curve to approach the first member to bring the first and second terminating ends together and fasten the first one of the sutures within the patient's tissue, and the first and second members to retract back into the applicator section and engage the first and second terminating ends of a next one of the sutures.