Medical implant delivery system and related methods

A method for delivering a sheet-like implant to a tendon at a target site, the method comprising:

• positioning an implant delivery system proximate an incision in a patient, the implant delivery system comprising:
• a sheath member having a lumen therein,
• an implant delivery shaft having a distal end region disposed within the sheath member such that the implant delivery shaft is longitudinally moveable relative to the sheath member,
• an implant spreader assembly attached to the distal end region of the implant delivery shaft,
• a sheet-like implant attached to the implant spreader assembly in a folded configuration within the lumen of the sheath member, and
• a plurality of petals arranged around a distal end of the sheath member, wherein the plurality of petals are radially deflectable in a radially outward direction from a first configuration to a second expanded configuration;
• inserting the implant delivery system into the incision;
• advancing the implant delivery system to the tendon;
• and
• deploying the sheet-like implant from the lumen of the sheath member by withdrawing the sheath member relative to the implant delivery shaft, wherein the movement of the sheet-like implant past the plurality of petals causes the plurality of petals to deflect radially outward to the second configuration as the implant spreader assembly and the sheet-like implant are passed out of the lumen distal of the plurality of petals, and
• wherein, deploying the sheet-like implant includes unfolding the sheet-like implant with the implant spreader from the folded configuration to an unfolded configuration overlaying the tendon.