Patent ID: 7645286

Claim:
A method for changing the shape or cross dimension of a lumen or cavity of a human or animal body, said method comprising the steps of: providing a first anchor, a second anchor and a connecting member that extends between the first anchor and the second anchor: implanting the first anchor at a first location whereby it engages tissue near the lumen or cavity; placing the second anchor at a second location whereby it engages tissue near the lumen or cavity; and positioning and tensioning the connecting member such that the connecting member remains outside of the lumen or cavity and sufficient force is exerted on the lumen or cavity to change to shape or cross dimension of the lumen or cavity; wherein the lumen or cavity comprises the lumen of an urethra of a subject whose prostate is enlarged such that it has caused a constriction of the lumen of the urethra and wherein the performance of the method results in less constriction of the lumen of the urethra by the enlarged prostate; wherein the second anchor is constructed and implanted such that it becomes overgrown with tissue such that urine flowing through the lumen of the urethra does not directly contact the second anchor; further comprising inserting a delivery device into the subject's urethra, advancing a penetrator from the delivery device into or through the prostate gland so as to form a penetration tract that extends from the urethra, through prostate tissue and to the first location, delivering the first anchor with the connecting member attached through the penetration tract and causing the first anchor to become anchored at the first location such that the connecting member extends from the first anchor, through the penetration tract and into the urethra.