Apparatus and method for applying and adjusting an anchoring device

An apparatus for applying a surgical anchoring device to body tissue, said anchoring device including an elongated suture having an anchor member positioned at each end thereof, said apparatus comprising:

• a) a handle portion defining a longitudinal axis;
• b) an elongated needle body extending from said handle portion and defining an axial bore configured to retain the anchor members, said needle body having a continuous uniform cross-sectional configuration;
• c) an elongated housing mounted adjacent said needle body and longitudinally movable with respect thereto between a first position wherein a distal end portion of said needle body is extended from said housing and a second position wherein said distal end portion of said needle body is shielded by said housing;
• and
• d) means operatively associated with said handle portion for individually advancing the anchor members from said distal end portion of said needle body, the advancing means including an axially advanceable rack member, a push rod extending from the rack and configured to incrementally advance through the needle body to urge the anchor members therefrom, and an axially advanceable drive arm for selectively engaging the rack member.

An apparatus for applying a surgical anchoring device to body tissue, said anchoring device including an elongated suture having an anchor member positioned at each end thereof, said apparatus comprising:

• a) a handle portion defining a longitudinal axis;
• b) an elongated needle body extending from said handle portion and defining an axial bore configured to retain the anchor members;
• c) an elongated housing mounted adjacent said needle body and incrementally movable with respect thereto between a plurality of longitudinal positions to selectively protract said distal end portion of said needle body from said housing;
• and
• d) an axially advanceable ratchet assembly operatively associated with said handle portion for individually advancing the anchor members from said distal end portion of said needle body, the ratchet assembly including an axially advanceable rack, a push rod extending from the rack and configured to incrementally advance through the needle body to urge the anchor members therefrom, and an axially advanceable drive arm for selectively engaging the rack and advancing the rack in a distal direction.

An apparatus for applying a surgical anchoring device to body tissue, said anchoring device including an elongated suture having an anchor member positioned at each end thereof, said apparatus comprising:

• a) a handle portion defining a longitudinal axis;
• b) an elongated needle body extending from said handle portion and defining an axial bore configured to consecutively retain the anchor members;
• c) an elongated housing mounted adjacent said needle body and defining opposed proximal and distal ends and means for receiving tissue disposed between said opposed proximal and distal ends;
• and
• d) actuation means operatively associated with said handle portion for advancing said needle body in a distal direction relative to said housing and for advancing a distalmost anchor member in a distal direction from a distal end of said needle body, the actuation means including an axially advanceable rack, a push rod extending from the rack and configured to incrementally advance through the needle body to urge the anchor members therefrom and an axially advanceable drive arm for selectively engaging the rack.