Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A soft tissue anchor delivery apparatus includes a gripping device having fingers at the distal end and configured such that they can hold a soft tissue anchor about the head portion of the anchor. An actuating tube slides over the gripper and the fingers, thus holding the fingers and the contained soft tissue anchor within the bore of the actuating tube. A pushrod is placed within the bore of the gripper. The pushrod has a countersunk head that is shaped such that it is a close fit for the head of the soft tissue anchor. The pushrod is connected to a tube having a bore so that the actuating pin of the soft tissue anchor can be pushed down into the head of the anchor. The pushrod is spring loaded so as to allow the pushrod to be driven distally upon retraction of the actuating tube, thus driving the anchor free of the deployed fingers and hence of the entire delivery system.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim