Patent ID: 7879071

Claim:
A device for engaging tissue, comprising: a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending substantially normal to the plane, the body being movable from a substantially planar configuration lying generally in the plane towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane, the body comprising a plurality of looped elements comprising alternating first and second curved regions, the first curved regions defining an inner periphery of the body and the second curved regions defining an outer periphery of the body in the planar configuration; and a plurality of tines extending from the first curved regions, the tines being oriented generally towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and generally parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration wherein the plurality of tines comprise: a first primary tine having a first length; and a second primary tine having a second length longer than the first length, the first and second primary tines being disposed on first curved regions diametrically opposed to each other about the central axis, the first and second primary tines being oriented towards one another in the planar configuration, the first and second lengths causing the first and second primary tines to at least partially overlap one another in the planar orientation.