Patent ID: 7632287

Claim:
A fastener assembly, comprising: a fastener including a first member, a second member, and a connecting member, the first and second members each having a first end and a second end, the connecting member being coupled to the first and second members intermediate the first end and the second end and extending between the first and second members, the first and second members being separated by the connecting member, the first member having a longitudinal axis, a through channel along the longitudinal axis surrounded by a sidewall, and an elongated slot which forms an elongate opening in the sidewall of the first member, the elongated slot communicating with the through channel and being elongate in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and a deployment wire arranged to be slidingly received by the through channel of the first member, the deployment wire having a sharp tip configured to pierce tissue, the deployment wire being movable relative to the fastener between a first position and a second position, the deployment wire being positioned in the through channel with the sharp tip positioned distal to the fastener when the deployment wire is in the first position, the deployment wire being movable proximally relative to the fastener from the first position to the second position, the deployment wire extending through the elongated slot when the deployment wire is moved proximally relative to the fastener from the first position to the second position so that the sharp tip of the deployment wire is positioned outside of the through channel with the deployment wire extending through the slot and a proximal portion of the deployment wire remaining within the through channel.