Tissue Repair System

A method of implanting a prosthesis into a tissue having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion being disposed farther from a surgeon than the proximal portion, the method comprising:

• holding a first end portion of the prosthesis in a first needle end of a first delivery needle;
• holding a second portion of the prosthesis in a second needle end of a second delivery needle, wherein the first delivery needle and the second delivery needle are held laterally spaced apart from each other in a pre-actuated condition by a connector extending laterally between the first delivery needle and the second delivery needle, and wherein the prosthesis has an intermediate portion that is between the first end portion and the second end portion and extends between the first delivery needle and the second delivery needle in the pre-actuated condition;
• inserting the first end portion and the second end portion of the prosthesis into the tissue using the first delivery needle and the second delivery needle, respectively;
• actuating a tensioning member that moves the first delivery needle and the second delivery needle toward each other and against an opposing force of the connector;
• engaging the first end portion to the second end portion at the distal portion of the tissue, with the intermediate portion at the proximal portion of the tissue;
• and
• releasing the tensioning member so that the opposing force of the connector returns the first delivery needle and the second delivery needle to the pre-actuated condition.

A method of implanting a prosthesis into a tissue having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion being disposed farther from a surgeon than the proximal portion, the method comprising:

• holding a first end portion of the prosthesis in a channel of a first delivery needle;
• holding a second portion of the prosthesis in a second delivery needle, wherein the first delivery needle and the second delivery needle are laterally spaced apart from each other in a pre-actuated condition, and wherein the prosthesis has an intermediate portion that is between the first end portion and the second end portion and extends between the first delivery needle and the second delivery needle in the pre-actuated condition;
• inserting the first end portion and the second end portion of the prosthesis into the tissue using the first delivery needle and the second delivery needle, respectively;
• actuating a tensioning member that moves the first delivery needle and the second delivery needle toward each other;
• and
• pushing the first end portion of the prosthesis with a pushing member disposed in the channel of the first delivery needle so that the first end portion engages the second end portion at the distal portion of the tissue, with the intermediate portion at the proximal portion of the tissue.