Fixation devices, systems and methods for engaging tissue

A fixation device for engaging tissue comprising:

• a stud;
• a pair of proximal gripping elements operably coupled with the stud, each of the gripping elements having a first end, a free end opposite the first end, and a gripping surface therebetween for gripping the tissue, the first ends being movably coupled together such that the gripping elements are moveable between a first position wherein the free ends are spaced apart with the gripping surfaces generally facing away from each other, and a second position wherein the free ends are separated even further apart;
• a pair of distal fixation elements operably coupled with the stud, each of the fixation elements having a first end, a free end opposite the first end, and an engagement surface therebetween for engaging the tissue, the first ends being movably coupled together such that the fixation elements are moveable between an open position wherein the free ends are spaced apart and a closed position wherein the free ends are closer together with the engagement surfaces generally facing each other;
• and
• means for locking the fixation elements in the open position, the closed position, or positions therebetween, the means for locking having a locked position and an unlocked position whereby the elements are held in a fixed position relative to one another in the locked position and whereby the elements are moveable relative to one another in the unlocked position.