Surgical coils and methods of deploying

Abstract

Surgical coils for marking, anchoring, stapling and suturing that can be implanted in the body by deforming it to a small cross section profile and then sliding it through a low profile delivery device then deployig from an embodiment of a delivery device at a targeted site. Embodiments of surgical coils when deployed revert back to a coiled configuration and circle tissue at the target site. Can be deployed about attachment members, such as suture lines, marker lines and the like for anchoring same.

what is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A medical fastener comprising: 
 an elongate element having a longitudinal axis;    the elongate element formed into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact in the overlapped portion; and    the overlapped portion having a circumferential overlap of at least 300 degrees.    
     
     
         2 . The medical fastener of  claim 1  wherein the longitudinal axis of the elongate element lies substantially in a plane.  
     
     
         3 . The medical fastener of  claim 1  wherein the circumferential overlap of the overlapped portion is about 300 to about 600 degrees.  
     
     
         4 . The medical fastener of  claim 1  wherein the enclosed configuration of the elongate element is substantially circular.  
     
     
         5 . The medical fastener of  claim 1  wherein the enclosed configuration of the elongate element is substantially elliptical.  
     
     
         6 . The medical fastener of  claim 1  wherein the elongate element has a transverse cross section that is substantially rectangular.  
     
     
         7 . The medical fastener of  claim 1  wherein the elongate element has a transverse cross section that is substantially elliptical.  
     
     
         8 . The medical fastener of  claim 1  wherein the elongate element further comprises a distal end having a reduced transverse dimension which is configured to engage a hollow portion of a proximal end of another elongate element so as to eliminate or reduce relative transverse movement between the proximal end and distal end when the ends are engaged.  
     
     
         9 . The medical fastener of  claim 8  wherein the distal end of the elongate element comprises a sharpened chisel shaped configuration.  
     
     
         10 . The medical fastener of  claim 9  wherein the proximal end of the elongate elment comprises a wedge shaped cut out configured to engage the chisel shaped configuration of the the distal end.  
     
     
         11 . The medical fastener of  claim 8  wherein the elongate elment has a major transverse dimension of about 0.01 inch to about 0.100 inch.  
     
     
         12 . The medical fastener of  claim 11  wherein the elonagate element has a minor transverse dimension of about 0.005 inch to about 0.050 inch.  
     
     
         13 . The medical fastener of  claim 1  wherein the elongate element is comprised of a solid material.  
     
     
         14 . The medical fastener of  claim 1  wherein the elongate element is hollow with a longitudinal lumen extending from a distal end of the elongate member to a proximal end of the elongate member.  
     
     
         15 . The medical fastener of  claim 10  wherein the wedge is configured to protect the sharp distal tip of the elongate member.  
     
     
         16 . The medical fastener of  claim 1  wherein the elongate element further comprises an interlocking configuration.  
     
     
         17 . The medical fastener of  claim 16  wherein the elongate element further comprises a longitudinal groove in a first surface of the elongate element and a longitudinal ridge, configured to mate with the longitudinal groove on a second surface opposite the first surface.  
     
     
         18 . The medical fastener of  claim 1  wherein the elongate element is comprised of a material that is configured to self-forming from a constrained substantially straightened state to the enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact in the overlapped portion.  
     
     
         19 . A medical fastener comprising: 
 an elongate element having a longitudinal axis;    the elongate element formed into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact in the overlapped portion;    the overlapped portion having a circumferential overlap of at least 300 degrees; and    the longitudinal axis of the elongate element lying substantially in a plane.    
     
     
         20 . The medical fastener of  claim 19  wherein the circumferential overlap of the overlapped portion is about 300 to about 600 degrees.  
     
     
         21 . The medical fastener of  claim 19  wherein the enclosed configuration of the elongate element is substantially circular.  
     
     
         22 . The medical fastener of  claim 19  wherein the enclosed configuration of the elongate element is substantially elliptical.  
     
     
         23 . The medical fastener of  claim 19  wherein the elongate element has a transverse cross section that is substantially rectangular.  
     
     
         24 . The medical fastener of  claim 19  wherein the elongate element further comprises a distal end having a reduced transverse dimension which is configured to engage a hollow portion of a proximal end of another elongate element so as to eliminate or reduce relative transverse movement between the proximal end and distal end when the ends are engaged.  
     
     
         25 . The medical fastener of  claim 24  wherein the distal end of the elongate element comprises a sharpened chisel shaped configuration.  
     
     
         26 . The medical fastener of  claim 25  wherein the proximal end of the elongate elment comprises a wedge shaped cut out configured to engage the chisel shaped configuration of the the distal end.  
     
     
         27 . The medical fastener of  claim 23  wherein the elongate elment has a major transverse dimension of about 0.01 inch to about 0.100 inch.  
     
     
         28 . The medical fastener of  claim 27  wherein the elonagate element has a minor transverse dimension of about 0.005 inch to about 0.050 inch.  
     
     
         29 . The medical fastener of  claim 19  wherein the elongate element is comprised of a solid material.  
     
     
         30 . The medical fastener of  claim 19  wherein the elongate element is hollow with a longitudinal lumen extending from a distal end of the elongate member to a proximal end of the elongate member.  
     
     
         31 . The medical fastener of  claim 26  wherein the wedge is configured to protect the sharp distal tip of the elongate member.  
     
     
         32 . The medical fastener of  claim 19  wherein the elongate element further comprises an interlocking configuration.  
     
     
         33 . The medical fastener of  claim 32  wherein the elongate element further comprises a longitudinal groove in a first surface of the elongate element and a longitudinal ridge, configured to mate with the longitudinal groove on a second surface opposite the first surface.  
     
     
         34 . The medical fastener of  claim 19  wherein the elongate element is comprised of a material that is configured to self-forming from a constrained substantially straightened state to the enclosed configuration with the overlapped portion of the elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.  
     
     
         35 . A surgical marker for marking a position within the body of a patient comprising: 
 an elongate element having a longitudinal axis and formed into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact in the overlapped portion; and    a contrast material in contact with the elongate element.    
     
     
         36 . The surgical marker of  claim 35  wherein the overlapped portion has a circumferential overlap of at least 300 degrees.  
     
     
         37 . The surgical marker of  claim 35  wherein the elonate element comprises at least one cavity disposed therein.  
     
     
         38 . The surgical marker of  claim 37  wherein the elonate element comprises a hollow transverse cross section forming the at least one cavity therein.  
     
     
         39 . The surgical marker of  claim 37  wherein the cavity is enclosed.  
     
     
         40 . The surgical marker of  claim 37  wherein the cavity contains a bioactive agent for delivery to adjacent tissue.  
     
     
         41 . The surgical marker of  claim 37  wherein the cavity contains the image constrast material.  
     
     
         42 . The surgical marker of  claim 35  wherein the image contrast material comprises a radiopaque material.  
     
     
         43 . The surgical marker of  claim 35  wherein the image contrast material comprises ultrasound contrast material.  
     
     
         44 . The surgical marker of  claim 35  wherein the image contrast material comprises MRI contrast material.  
     
     
         45 . The surgical marker of  claim 35  wherein the elongate element is comprised of a material that is configured to self-forming from a constrained substantially straightened state to the enclosed configuration with the overlapped portion of the elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.  
     
     
         46 . A surgical marker for marking a position within the body of a patient, comprising: 
 an elongate element having a longitudinal axis and formed into an enclosed configuration with a distal end engaged with a proximal end of the elongate element; and    a contrast material in contact with the elongate element.    
     
     
         47 . The surgical marker of  claim 46  wherein the distal end comprises a wedge shaped pointed tip which is engaged with a wedge shaped cut out in the proximal end of the elongate member.  
     
     
         48 . The surgical marker of  claim 46  wherein the elonate element has a at least one cavity disposed therein.  
     
     
         49 . The surgical marker of  claim 48  wherein the elonate element has a hollow transverse cross section forming the at least one cavity therein.  
     
     
         50 . The surgical marker of  claim 48 , wherein the cavity is enclosed.  
     
     
         51 . The surgical marker of  claim 48  wherein the cavity contains a bioactive agent for delivery to adjacent tissue.  
     
     
         52 . The surgical marker of  claim 48  wherein the cavity contains image constrast material.  
     
     
         53 . The surgical marker of  claim 46  wherein the image contrast material comprises a radiopaque material.  
     
     
         54 . The surgical marker of  claim 46  wherein the image contrast material comprises ultrasound contrast material.  
     
     
         55 . The surgical marker of  claim 46  wherein the image contrast material comprises MRI image contrast material.  
     
     
         56 . The surgical marker of  claim 46  wherein the elongate element is comprised of a material that is configured to self-forming from a constrained and substantially straightened state to the enclosed configuration with the distal end engaged with the proximal end of the elongate element.  
     
     
         57 . A delivery device for deployment of a surgical coil, comprising: 
 an elongate delivery sheath having a proximal end and a distal end;    an actuator body secured to a proximal portion of the elongate delivery sheath;    a first ratchet member in substantially fixed relation with the actuator body having a grip feature configured to engage an advancing ribbon for prevent substantial proximal motion of the advancing ribbon relative to the delivery sheath;    an actuator slidingly engaged with the actuator body;    a second ratchet member having a grip feature configured to engage the advancing ribbon and being moveable with the actuator; and    an advancing ribbon configured to apply axial force on an elongate element within the delivery sheath.    
     
     
         58 . The delivery device of  claim 57  wherein the actuator is configured to slide relative to the actuator body a length equal to or greater than a length of an elongate element of a surgical coil to be deployed.  
     
     
         59 . The delivery device of  claim 57  wherein the delivery sheath comprises a cannula with a sharpened distal tip.  
     
     
         60 . The delivery device of  claim 59  wherein the cannula comprises a stainless steel hypodermic tube with a sharpened distal tip configured to penetrate tissue.  
     
     
         61 . The delivery device of  claim 57  wherein the delivery sheath has a length of about 5 to about 20 cm.  
     
     
         62 . The delivery device of  claim 57  further comprising a surgical coil cassette having a plurality of surgical coils disposed therein and wherein the actuator body has an aperture configured to receive the surgical coil cassette and load surgical coils into the delivery sheath in serial.  
     
     
         63 . The delivery device of  claim 62  wherein the surgical coil cassette comprises a plurality of longitudinal slots for individually storing a plurality of surgical coils in a constrained substantially, straight configuration and a plurality of biasing springs coupled to the cassette for advancing the cassette after each surgical coil is loaded from the cassette into the delivery sheath.  
     
     
         64 . The delivery device of  claim 57  wherein the distal end of the delivery sheath futher comprises a shape forming member for forming an elongate element into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.  
     
     
         65 . A method for deploying a surgical coil in a patient's body, comprising: 
 positioning a distal end of a delivery sheath adjacent a deployment site;    axially advancing a surgical coil through the delivery sheath, out of a distal port of the delivery sheath and into target tissue; and    continuing to advance the surgical coil into the target tissue allowing an elongate element of the surgical coil to self-form into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.    
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the the elongate element self-forms into a closed configuration having a circumferential overlap of at least about 300 degrees.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 65  wherein an element axis of the elongate element forms an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to a coil axis.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the elongate element is advanced from the delivery sheath until a proximal end of the elongate element is ejected from the delivery sheath and the surgical coil is fully deployed in the target tissue disconnected from the delivery sheath.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the delivery sheath is configured to constrain the elongate element to a substantially straight configuration prior to ejection from the distal end of the deliver sheath.  
     
     
         70 . A method for deploying a surgical coil in a patient's body, comprising: 
 positioning a distal end of a delivery sheath adjacent a deployment site;    axially advancing a surgical coil through the delivery sheath until a distal end of an elongate element of the surgical coil contacts a coil forming member; and    continuing to advance the elongate member past the coil forming member and into the target tissue with the coil forming member shaping the elongate element into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.    
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70  wherein the elongate element is advanced from the delivery sheath until the surgical coil has a circumferential overlap of at least about 300 degrees.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 70  wherein the elongate element is advanced from the delivery sheath until a proximal end of the elongate element is ejected from the delivery sheath and the surgical coil is fully deployed in the target tissue disconnected from the delivery sheath.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 70  wherein the coil forming member comprises a bent distal tip of the delivery sheath.  
     
     
         74 . A delivery device for simultaneous deployment of a plurality of surgical coils, comprising: 
 a delivery sheath housing;    a plurality of delivery sheaths oriented and stabilized by the delivery sheath housing with each delivery sheath having a proximal end and a distal end; and    plungers disposed within a a plurality of the delivery sheaths; and    an actuator for applying axial force to advancing members that are axially translatable with respect to the delivery sheaths for distally advancing surgical coils disposed within the delivery sheaths.    
     
     
         75 . The delivery device of  claim 74  wherein the actuator is configured to slide relative to the delivery sheath a length equal to or greater than a length of an elongate element of a surgical coil to be deployed.  
     
     
         76 . The delivery device of  claim 74  wherein the delivery sheaths comprise a cannulas with sharpened distal tips.  
     
     
         77 . The delivery device of  claim 76  wherein the cannulas comprise stainless steel hypodermic tubes with a sharpened distal tips configured to penetrate tissue.  
     
     
         78 . The delivery device of  claim 74  wherein the delivery sheaths have a length of about 5 to about 20 cm.  
     
     
         79 . The delivery device of  claim 74  wherein the distal end of at least one delivery sheath futher comprises a shape forming member for forming an elongate element of a surgical coil into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.  
     
     
         80 . The delivery device of  claim 74  wherein the delivery sheath housing is a substantially tubular member with the delivery sheaths evenly spread about a wall of the tubular member and a longitudinal axis of the delivery sheaths is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member.  
     
     
         81 . The delivery device of  claim 74  wherin the delivery sheath housing is a cylinder and the delivery sheaths are evenly spread about an outer perimiter of the cylinder and a longitudinal axis of the delivery sheaths is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder.  
     
     
         82 . The delivery device of  claim 74  wherein the delivery sheaths are arranged in two substantially parallel rows within the delivery sheath housing in a rectangular configuration with a longitudinal axis of each of the delivery sheaths being substantially parallel to each of the other delivery sheaths.  
     
     
         83 . A method for deploying a plurality of surgical coils in a patient's body, comprising: 
 positioning distal ends of a plurality of delivery sheaths stabilized by a delivery sheath housing adjacent a deployment site;    axially advancing a plurality of surgical coils through the delivery sheaths, out of distal ports of the delivery sheaths and into target tissue; and    continuing to advance the surgical coils into the target tissue allowing elongate elements of the surgical coils to self-form into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion of each elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.    
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the the elongate elements self-form into a closed configuration having a circumferential overlap of at least about 300 degrees.  
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 83  wherein an element axis of the elongate elements form an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to a coil axis.  
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the elongate elements are advanced from the delivery sheaths until proximal ends of the elongate elements are ejected from the delivery sheath and the surgical coil is fully deployed in the target tissue disconnected from the delivery sheaths.  
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the delivery sheaths are configured to constrain the elongate elements to a substantially straight configuration prior to ejection from the distal end of the deliver sheaths.  
     
     
         88 . A delivery device for closure of a wound site and simultaneous deployment of a plurality of surgical coils across the wound, comprising: 
 a delivery sheath housing;    a plurality of delivery sheaths oriented and stabilized by the delivery sheath housing with each delivery sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and a pre-formed outward radial bias away from other delivery sheaths for at least one distal end thereof;    an outer sheath slidably disposed over at least a portion of the delivery sheath housing and delivery sheaths, and configured to constrain an outward radial displacement of the at least one distal end with the pre-formed bias when the outer sheath is disposed about the distal end with the pre-formed bias and to allow outward radial displacement of the distal end with the pre-formed bias when not disposed thereabout;    plungers disposed within a plurality of the delivery sheaths for applying axial force to the delivery sheaths for distally advancing surgical coils disposed within the delivery sheaths.    
     
     
         89 . The delivery device of  claim 88  wherein the plungers are configured to slide relative to the delivery sheaths a length equal to or greater than a length of an elongate element of surgical coils to be deployed.  
     
     
         90 . The delivery device of  claim 88  wherein the delivery sheaths comprise a cannulas with sharpened distal tips.  
     
     
         91 . The delivery device of  claim 90  wherein the cannulas comprise stainless steel hypodermic tubes with a sharpened distal tips configured to penetrate tissue.  
     
     
         92 . The delivery device of  claim 88  wherein the delivery sheaths have a length of about 5 to about 20 cm.  
     
     
         93 . The delivery device of  claim 88  wherein the distal end of at least one delivery sheath futher comprises a shape forming member for forming an elongate element of a surgical coil into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.  
     
     
         94 . The delivery device of  claim 88  wherin the delivery sheath housing is a cylinder and the delivery sheaths are evenly spread about an outer perimiter of the cylinder and a longitudinal axis of the delivery sheaths is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder.  
     
     
         95 . A method for forcing a wound closed and deploying a plurality of surgical coils across the wound to maintain closure, comprising: 
 positioning distal ends of a plurality of delivery sheaths stabilized by a delivery sheath housing adjacent a deployment site with an outer sheath disposed about at least a portion of the delivery sheaths and delivery sheath housing in a proximally retracted position;    advancing the distal ends of the delivery sheaths into target tissue at the deployment site with at least one delivery sheath disposed on either side of the wound;    advancing the outer sheath distally in order tot reduce an outward radial displacement of a distal end of at least one of the delivery sheaths thereby reducing the distance between the distal ends of at least two delivery sheaths and at least partially closing the wound;    axially advancing a plurality of surgical coils through the delivery sheaths, out of distal ports of the delivery sheaths and into target tissue; and    continuing to advance the surgical coils into the target tissue allowing elongate elements of the surgical coils to self-form into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion of each elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.    
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 95  wherein the the elongate elements self-form into a closed configuration having a circumferential overlap of at least about 300 degrees.  
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 95  wherein an element axis of the elongate elements form an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to a coil axis.  
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 95  wherein the elongate elements are advanced from the delivery sheaths until proximal ends of the elongate elements are ejected from the delivery sheath and the surgical coil is fully deployed in the target tissue disconnected from the delivery sheaths.  
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 95  wherein the delivery sheaths are configured to constrain the elongate elements to a substantially straight configuration prior to ejection from the distal end of the deliver sheaths.  
     
     
         100 . A delivery device for simultaneous deployment of a plurality of surgical coils from within a channel, comprising: 
 a delivery sheath housing;    a plurality of delivery sheaths oriented and stabilized by the delivery sheath housing with each delivery sheath having a proximal end and a distal end;    an outer sheath slidably disposed over at least a portion of the delivery sheath housing and delivery sheaths;    an expanable member disposed between distal portions of the plurality of delivery sheaths and configured to expand the distal portions of the delivery sheaths in an outward radial direction when in an expanded state; and    plungers disposed within a plurality of the delivery sheaths for applying axial force to a surgical coil within the delivery sheaths for distally advancing surgical coil.    
     
     
         101 . The delivery device of  claim 100  wherein the plungers are configured to slide relative to the delivery sheaths a length equal to or greater than a length of an elongate element of surgical coils to be deployed.  
     
     
         102 . The delivery device of  claim 100  wherein the delivery sheaths comprise cannulas with sharpened distal tips.  
     
     
         103 . The delivery device of  claim 102  wherein the cannulas comprise stainless steel hypodermic tubes with a sharpened distal tips configured to penetrate tissue.  
     
     
         104 . The delivery device of  claim 100  wherein the delivery sheaths have a length of about 5 to about 20 cm.  
     
     
         105 . The delivery device of  claim 100  wherein the distal end of at least one delivery sheath futher comprises a shape forming member for forming an elongate element of a surgical coil into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.  
     
     
         106 . The delivery device of  claim 100  wherin the delivery sheath housing is a cylinder and the delivery sheaths are evenly spread about an outer perimiter of the cylinder and a longitudinal axis of the delivery sheaths is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder.  
     
     
         107 . The delivery device of  claim 100  wherein the expandable member is a balloon.  
     
     
         108 . A method for deploying a plurality of surgical coils from within a channel, comprising: 
 positioning distal ends of a plurality of delivery sheaths stabilized by a delivery sheath housing at a deployment site within a cavity;    expanding an expandable member which is surrounded by the the plurality of delivery sheaths until distal ends of the delivery sheaths are disposed against target material;    axially advancing a plurality of surgical coils through the delivery sheaths, out of distal ports of the delivery sheaths and into target material; and    continuing to advance the surgical coils into the target tissue allowing elongate elements of the surgical coils to self-form into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion of each elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.    
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 108  wherein the the elongate elements self-form into a closed configuration having a circumferential overlap of at least about 300 degrees.  
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 108  wherein an element axis of the elongate elements form an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to a coil axis.  
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 108  wherein the elongate elements are advanced from the delivery sheaths until proximal ends of the elongate elements are ejected from the delivery sheath and the surgical coil is fully deployed in the target tissue disconnected from the delivery sheaths.  
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 108  wherein the delivery sheaths are configured to constrain the elongate elements to a substantially straight configuration prior to ejection from the distal end of the deliver sheaths.  
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 108  wherein expansion of the expandable member comprises inflation of a balloon.  
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 108  wherein the cavity comprises a body lumen and the target material comprises tissue and further comprising expanding the expandable member until distal ends of the delivery sheaths are disposed against the tissue with a desired force.  
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 108  wherein the cavity comprises an intracorporeal prosthesis and the target material comprises a wall material of the prosthesis and further comprising expanding the expandable member until distal ends of the delivery sheaths are disposed adjacent the wall of the prosthesis.  
     
     
         116 . A delivery device for deployment of a surgical coil and attachment member, comprising: 
 an elongate deployment shaft assembly including an elongate delivery sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, an attachment member having an attachment loop disposed adjacent a distal port of the delivery sheath which is configured to direct a surgical coil deployed from the distal port to surround the attachment loop, and an outer sheath slidably disposed about at least a portion of the delivery sheath and attachment member; and    an actuator body secured to a proximal portion of the elongate deployment shaft including an actuator configured to advance a surgical coil distally from the delivery sheath.    
     
     
         117 . The delivery device of  claim 116  further comprising 
 a first ratchet member in substantially fixed relation with the actuator body having a grip feature configured to engage an advancing ribbon for prevent substantial proximal motion of the advancing ribbon relative to the delivery sheath;  
 an actuator slidingly engaged with the actuator body;  
 a second ratchet member having a grip feature configured to engage the advancing ribbon and being moveable with the actuator; and  
 an advancing ribbon configured to apply axial force on an elongate element within the delivery sheath.  
 
     
     
         118 . The delivery device of  claim 116  wherein the actuator is configured to slide relative to the actuator body a length equal to or greater than a length of an elongate element of a surgical coil to be deployed.  
     
     
         119 . The delivery device of  claim 116  wherein the delivery sheath comprises a cannula with a sharpened distal tip.  
     
     
         120 . The delivery device of  claim 119  wherein the cannula comprises a stainless steel hypodermic tube with a sharpened distal tip configured to penetrate tissue.  
     
     
         121 . The delivery device of  claim 116  wherein the deployment shaft assembly has a length of about 5 to about 20 cm.  
     
     
         122 . The delivery device of  claim 116  further comprising a surgical coil cassette having a plurality of surgical coils disposed therein and wherein the actuator body has an aperture configured to receive the surgical coil cassette and load surgical coils into the delivery sheath in serial.  
     
     
         123 . The delivery device of  claim 122  wherein the surgical coil cassette comprises a plurality of longitudinal slots for individually storing a plurality of surgical coils in a constrained substantially straight configuration and a plurality of biasing springs coupled to the cassette for advancing the cassette after each surgical coil is loaded from the cassette into the delivery sheath.  
     
     
         124 . The delivery device of  claim 116  wherein the distal end of the delivery sheath futher comprises a shape forming member for forming an elongate element into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.  
     
     
         125 . The delivery device of  claim 116  wherein the attachment loop comprises a loop formed at a distal end of single solid attachment member.  
     
     
         126 . The delivery device of  claim 116  wherein the delivery device further comprises two suture alignment tubes extending within the outer sheath and having distal end ports disposed adjacent the distal port of the delivery sheath and wherein the attachment loop comprises a length of suture material extending between distal ports of the suture alignment tubes.  
     
     
         127 . The delivery device of  claim 126  wherein distal ends of the suture alignment tubes have an outward radial bias that can be constrained by the outer sheath when the outer sheath is disposed about said distal ends.  
     
     
         128 . A method for deploying a surgical coil and attachment member in a patient's body, comprising: 
 positioning a distal end of a deployment shaft assembly adjacent a deployment site;    axially advancing a surgical coil through a delivery sheath of the deployment shaft assembly, out of a distal port of the delivery sheath, into target tissue and around an attachment loop of the attachment member;    continuing to advance the surgical coil into the target tissue allowing an elongate element of the surgical coil to self-form into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.    
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 128  wherein the the elongate element self-forms into a closed configuration having a circumferential overlap of at least about 300 degrees.  
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 128  wherein an element axis of the elongate element forms an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to a coil axis.  
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 128  wherein the elongate element is advanced from the delivery sheath until a proximal end of the elongate element is ejected from the delivery sheath and the surgical coil is fully deployed in the target tissue disconnected from the delivery sheath and encircling the attachment loop of the attachment member.  
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 128  wherein the delivery sheath is configured to constrain the elongate element to a substantially straight configuration prior to ejection from the distal end of the deliver sheath.  
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 128  further comprising proximally withdrawing the deployment shaft assembly leaving the surgical coil in place secured to the attachment loop.  
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 128  wherein the deployment shaft assembly further comprises two suture alignment tubes extending within the outer sheath and having distal end ports disposed adjacent the distal port of the delivery sheath and wherein the attachment loop comprises a length of suture material extending between distal ports of the suture alignment tubes.  
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 134  distal ends of the suture alignment tubes have an outward radial bias that can be constrained by the outer sheath when the outer sheath is disposed about said distal ends and further comprising proximally withdrawing the outer sheath and expanding distal ends of the suture alignment tubes in an outward radial orientation prior to deploying the surgical coil from the distal port of the delivery sheath.  
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 128  wherein the deployment shaft assembly comprises a plurality of delivery sheaths and a plurality of surgical coils are deployed about a plurality of attachment loops.  
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 128  further comprising pre-forming a cavity in target tissue prior to positioning the distal end of the deployment shaft assembly adjacent a deployment site in the cavity and further comprising deploying the surgical coil within the cavity such that the surgical coil is trapped in the cavity and the attachment member extends from the cavity.  
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 137  wherein the cavity is formed in bone tissue and the surgical coil is deployed within and trapped by bone tissue.  
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 137  wherein the cavity is formed in bone and bone marrow and the surgical coil is disposed at least partially within bone marrow.  
     
     
         140 . A deflectable delivery device for deployment of a surgical coil, comprising: 
 an elongate deployment shaft assembly including an elongate delivery sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and a distal end portion that can be constrained to a straightened configuration and assumes a deflected curved configuration when the restraint is removed, and an outer sheath slidably disposed about at least a portion of the delivery sheath; and    an actuator body secured to a proximal portion of the elongate deployment shaft assembly including a first actuator configured to advance the delivery sheath relative to the outer sheath and a second actuator configured to advance the surgical coil distally from a distal port of the delivery sheath.    
     
     
         141 . The delivery device of  claim 140  further comprising: 
 a first ratchet member in substantially fixed relation with a second actuator body having a grip feature configured to engage an advancing ribbon for prevent substantial proximal motion of the advancing ribbon relative to the delivery sheath;  
 the second actuator slidingly engaged with the second actuator body;  
 a second ratchet member having a grip feature configured to engage the advancing ribbon and being moveable with the second actuator; and  
 an advancing ribbon configured to apply axial force on an elongate element within the delivery sheath.  
 
     
     
         142 . The delivery device of  claim 141  wherein the second actuator is configured to slide relative to the actuator body a length equal to or greater than a length of an elongate element of a surgical coil to be deployed.  
     
     
         143 . The delivery device of  claim 140  wherein the delivery sheath comprises a cannula with a sharpened distal tip.  
     
     
         144 . The delivery device of  claim 143  wherein the cannula comprises a stainless steel hypodermic tube with a sharpened distal tip configured to penetrate tissue.  
     
     
         145 . The delivery device of  claim 140  wherein the deployment shaft assembly has a length of about 5 to about 20 cm.  
     
     
         146 . The delivery device of  claim 140  further comprising a surgical coil cassette having a plurality of surgical coils disposed therein and wherein the actuator body has an aperture configured to receive the surgical coil cassette and load surgical coils into the delivery sheath in serial.  
     
     
         147 . The delivery device of  claim 146  wherein the surgical coil cassette comprises a plurality of longitudinal slots for individually storing a plurality of surgical coils in a constrained substantially straight configuration and a plurality of biasing springs coupled to the cassette for advancing the cassette after each surgical coil is loaded from the cassette into the delivery sheath.  
     
     
         148 . The delivery device of  claim 140  wherein the distal end of the delivery sheath futher comprises a shape forming member for forming an elongate element into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.  
     
     
         149 . A method for deploying a surgical coil in a patient's body, comprising: 
 positioning a distal end of a deployment shaft assembly adjacent a deployment site;    activating a first actuator to advance a delivery sheath distally from an outer sheath of the deployment shaft assembly until a distal end of the delivery sheath extends beyond a distal port of the outer sheath and extends in an outward radial direction from the distal port;    activating a second actuator that axially advances a surgical coil through the delivery sheath, out of a distal port of the delivery sheath, into target tissue;    continuing to advance the surgical coil into the target tissue allowing an elongate element of the surgical coil to self-form into an enclosed configuration with an overlapped portion with the elongate element making contact with itself in the overlapped portion.    
     
     
         150 . The method of  claim 149  wherein the the elongate element self-forms into a closed configuration having a circumferential overlap of at least about 300 degrees.  
     
     
         151 . The method of  claim 149  wherein an element axis of the elongate element forms an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to a coil axis.  
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 149  wherein the elongate element is advanced from the delivery sheath until a proximal end of the elongate element is ejected from the delivery sheath and the surgical coil is fully deployed in the target tissue disconnected from the delivery sheath in a position radially displaced from a longitudinal axis of the deployment shaft assembly.  
     
     
         153 . The method of  claim 149  wherein the delivery sheath is configured to constrain the elongate element to a substantially straight configuration prior to ejection from the distal end of the deliver sheath.  
     
     
         154 . The method of  claim 149  further comprising proximally withdrawing the deployment shaft assembly leaving the surgical coil in place in the target tissue.  
     
     
         155 . The method of  claim 149  wherein the deployment shaft assembly comprises a mammatome trocar having a lateral aperture which is positioned adjacent the deployment site by tissue penetration during distal advancement.  
     
     
         156 . The method fo  claim 149  further comprising repeating the surgical coil deployment with a plurality of surgical coils in different positions which are arranged to define the boundary of a suspect tissue mass.  
     
     
         157 . The method of  claim 156  wherein the surgical coils are deployed in a substantially spherical configuration about a suspect tissue mass defining a margin about the suspect tissue mass of about 0.5 to about 1.5 cm.  
     
     
         158 . The method of  claim 149  wherein the surgical coil comprises an image constrast material and further comprising imaging the deployment site after deployment of a surgical coil.