Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for inserting a staple into torn tissue such as the meniscus of the knee. The apparatus includes a pair of shafts individually movable in a longitudinal directing which are actuable from a handle mechanism. The shafts are movable sequentially so that the shafts disjunctively advance the prongs of the staple which is releasably held adjacent distal end portions of the shafts. A further embodiment of the device consists of a pair of needles detachably secured to a pair of anchoring members having a plurality of barb-like projections extending outwardly therefrom. The anchoring members are joined by a suture which connects adjacent the trailing ends of the anchoring members opposite the penetration end of the needles. The needles are engaged with the anchoring members to transmit a first pushing force applied to the needles to advance the anchoring members into the tissue, and are releasable from their engagement with the anchoring members responsive to a second pulling force applied to the needles in a direction opposite the pushing direction.

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First Claim