Medical implant delivery system and related methods

A fixation member delivery system configured to deliver a plurality of fixation members, the fixation member delivery system comprising:

• an elongate shaft configured to adjust along a longitudinal axis;
• a first elongate member configured to move with the elongate shaft as the elongate shaft adjusts along the longitudinal axis, the first elongate member including a plurality of flexible first engagement members disposed along the first elongate member with a distal end region of each of one or more first engagement members configured to engage one fixation member of the plurality of fixation members;
• and
• a second elongate member fixed relative to the longitudinal axis, the second elongate member including a plurality of flexible second engagement members disposed along the second elongate member with a distal end region of each of one or more second engagement members configured to engage one fixation member of the plurality of fixation members,
• wherein the elongate shaft and the first elongate member are configured to advance distally relative to the second elongate member and cause distal end regions of the first engagement members to engage a proximal end of a fixation member of the plurality of fixation members and advance the fixation member distally over a second engagement member of the plurality of second engagement members;
• and
• wherein a distal most second engagement member of the plurality of second engagement members is configured to extend distal of a distal most fixation member of the plurality of fixation members to prevent inadvertent deployment of the distal most fixation member.

A fixation member delivery system configured to deliver a plurality of fixation members, the fixation member delivery system comprising:

• an elongate shaft configured to adjust along a longitudinal axis;
• a first elongate member configured to move with the elongate shaft as the elongate shaft adjusts along the longitudinal axis, the first elongate member including a plurality of flexible first engagement members disposed along the first elongate member with a distal end region of each of one or more first engagement members configured to engage one fixation member of the plurality of fixation members;
• and
• a second elongate member fixed relative to the longitudinal axis, the second elongate member including a plurality of flexible second engagement members disposed along the second elongate member with a distal end region of each of one or more second engagement members configured to engage one fixation member of the plurality of fixation members,
• wherein the elongate shaft and the first elongate member are configured to advance distally relative to the second elongate member and cause distal end regions of the first engagement members to engage a proximal end of a fixation member of the plurality of fixation members and advance the fixation member distally over a second engagement member of the plurality of second engagement members;
• and
• wherein a distal most first engagement member of the plurality of first engagement members comprises a distal fork configuration configured to receive a second engagement member of the plurality of second engagement members.

A fixation member delivery system configured to deliver a plurality of fixation members, the fixation member delivery system comprising:

• an elongate shaft configured to adjust along a longitudinal axis;
• a first elongate member configured to move with the elongate shaft as the elongate shaft adjusts along the longitudinal axis, the first elongate member including a plurality of flexible first engagement members disposed along the first elongate member with a distal end region of each of one or more first engagement members configured to engage one fixation member of the plurality of fixation members;
• a second elongate member fixed relative to the longitudinal axis, the second elongate member including a plurality of flexible second engagement members disposed along the second elongate member with a distal end region of each of one or more second engagement members configured to engage one fixation member of the plurality of fixation members, and
• a filler component extending along the first elongate member and the second elongate member;
• wherein the elongate shaft and the first elongate member are configured to advance distally relative to the second elongate member and cause distal end regions of the first engagement members to engage a proximal end of a fixation member of the plurality of fixation members and advance the fixation member distally over a second engagement member of the plurality of second engagement members;
• and
• wherein the filler component is configured to fix the second elongate member relative to the longitudinal axis.

A fixation member delivery system configured to deliver a plurality of fixation members, the fixation member delivery system comprising:

• a handle;
• an outer shaft extending distally from the handle, the outer shaft including a shaft lumen;
• an elongate shaft configured to reciprocate along a longitudinal axis relative to the handle;
• a first elongate member coupled with the elongate shaft, the first elongate member including a plurality of first engagement members disposed along the first elongate member with a distal end region of each of one or more of the first engagement members configured to engage with one fixation member of the plurality of fixation members;
• a first filler component extending along the shaft lumen, and
• a second filler component extending along the shaft lumen, the second filler component including a plurality openings and a corresponding second engagement member disposed therewithin, each of the second engagement members configured to engage with one fixation member of the plurality of fixation members to prevent proximal retraction thereof;
• wherein cyclical actuation of the elongate shaft and the first elongate member is configured to incrementally move the plurality of fixation members distally.

A method of deploying a fixation member of a plurality of fixation members from a fixation member delivery system, the method comprising:

• advancing the plurality of fixation members distally by advancing a first elongate member distally relative to a second elongate member, wherein each of one or more fixation members of the plurality of fixation members engages and flexes an engagement member of a plurality of engagement members extending from the second elongate member;
• deploying a distal most fixation member of the plurality of fixation members;
• and
• advancing the first elongate member proximally relative to the second elongate member, wherein each of two or more of the plurality of engagement members extending from the second elongate member engage a fixation member of the plurality of fixation members to limit proximal movement of the fixation member as the first elongate member is advanced proximally;
• wherein the fixation members are configured to advance distally through a filler component extending along the first elongate member and the second elongate member.

A method of deploying a fixation member of a plurality of fixation members from a fixation member delivery system, the method comprising:

• advancing the plurality of fixation members distally by advancing a first elongate member distally relative to a second elongate member, wherein each of one or more fixation members of the plurality of fixation members engages and flexes an engagement member of a plurality of engagement members extending from the second elongate member;
• deploying a distal most fixation member of the plurality of fixation members;
• and
• advancing the first elongate member proximally relative to the second elongate member, wherein each of two or more of the plurality of engagement members extending from the second elongate member engage a fixation member of the plurality of fixation members to limit proximal movement of the fixation member as the first elongate member is advanced proximally;
• wherein the fixation member comprises an interior prong and a planar proximal surface that is perpendicular to a plane along which the fixation member advances distally.