Apparatus and methods for controlled release of tacking devices

Apparatus for facilitating closure of a bodily opening, the apparatus comprising:

• a first tacking device comprising a main body having proximal and distal ends, and further having at least one distal deployable member having contracted and expanded states, wherein the distal deployable members extend distally from the distal end of the main body and are configured to engage tissue at a first final location in the vicinity of an opening in the tissue;
• a second tacking device comprising a main body having proximal and distal ends, and further having at least one distal deployable member having contracted and expanded states, wherein the distal deployable members extend distally from the distal end of the main body and are configured to engage tissue at a second final location in the vicinity of the opening in the tissue;
• a first loop member comprising an aperture disposed near the proximal end of the main body of the first tacking device;
• a second loop member comprising an aperture disposed near the proximal end of the main body of the second tacking device;
• and
• a suture configured to be slidably disposed through the apertures of the first and second loop members and actuated in a purse-string fashion to facilitate closure of the opening in the tissue when the first and second tacking devices are deployed at the first and second final locations,
• wherein the distal deployable members of the first and second tacking devices comprise substantially smooth outer surfaces configured to prevent snagging on tissue when moved between the contracted and expanded states.

A method for controlled release of a tacking device into tissue, the method comprising:

• providing a first tacking device comprising a main body having proximal and distal ends, and further comprising at least one distal deployable member having contracted and expanded states that extends distally from the distal end of the main body;
• inserting the first tacking device to a position proximate the tissue with the distal deployable members in the contracted states;
• at least partially expanding the distal deployable members of the first tacking device to engage tissue at a preliminary location;
• proximally retracting a first retainer disposed at the proximal end of the main body to thereby proximally retract and contract the distal deployable members;
• repositioning the first tacking device at a first final location;
• and
• deploying the distal deployable members to engage tissue in the expanded state at the first final location.