Repair device and method for deploying anchors

A method of meniscal repair, comprising:

• (i) advancing an open distal end of a needle through a tear in a meniscus to a first location, wherein the needle comprises a longitudinal bore that extends through the needle to the open distal end, and wherein, during step (i), a deformable first anchor and a deformable second anchor are positioned in the longitudinal bore of the needle with the deformable second anchor located proximal of the deformable first anchor in the longitudinal bore and with a pusher wire extending in the longitudinal bore from a proximal end of the needle, past the deformable second anchor by routing the pusher wire around an exterior of the deformable second anchor, and into engagement with the deformable first anchor, the pusher wire including at least a first tooth that projects from a side of the pusher wire;
• (ii) moving the pusher wire distally in the longitudinal bore of the needle following step (i) to thereby force the deformable first anchor out of the longitudinal bore through the open distal end of the needle via engagement of the pusher wire with the deformable first anchor, wherein, during step (ii), the pusher wire remains extending past the deformable second anchor in the longitudinal bore of the needle;
• (iii) moving the pusher wire proximally in the longitudinal bore of the needle following step (ii) to thereby retract the first tooth in the longitudinal bore of the needle, wherein, during step (iii), the first tooth moves proximally past at least part of the deformable second anchor in the longitudinal bore by routing the first tooth around the exterior of the deformable second anchor in the longitudinal bore;
• (iv) withdrawing the open distal end of the needle back through the tear in the meniscus following step (ii);
• (v) advancing the open distal end of the needle through the tear in the meniscus to a second location following step (iv);
• (vi) moving the pusher wire distally in the longitudinal bore of the needle following step (v) to thereby force the deformable second anchor out of the longitudinal bore through the open distal end of the needle via engagement of the pusher wire with the deformable second anchor.