Surgical fastener

Abstract

The present invention relates to a surgical fastener including a first body member having a cavity therein and having first and second ends. The first end has an opening which provides access to the cavity. The first end also has a projection extending into the cavity. The fastener further includes a second body member having first and second ends and an exterior surface between the ends. The second body member is dimensioned to at least partially fit through the opening of the first body member and within the cavity of the first body member. The second body member also has a channel extending through the first end and the exterior surface. The first end of the second body member has a recess configured for receiving the projection of the first body member to thereby lock the first and second body members together.

1 . A surgical fastener comprising: 
 a first body member having a cavity therein and having first and second ends, the first end having an opening providing access to the cavity, the first end having a projection extending into the cavity; and    a second body member having first and second ends and an exterior surface between the ends, the second body member dimensioned to at least partially fit through the opening of the first body member and within the cavity of the first body member, the second body member having a channel extending through the first end and the exterior surface, the first end having a recess configured for receiving the projection of the first body member to thereby lock the first and second body members together.    
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein the first and second body members are generally cylindrical and wherein the projection and recess are generally annular.  
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 2  further including a passage extending through the second end of the first body member.  
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 2  wherein the projection is resiliently deflectable.  
     
     
         5 . The fastener of  claim 1  further including a flange extending from the first end of the second body member, the flange having a surface configured for contact with tissue.  
     
     
         6 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein the channel is non-linear.  
     
     
         7 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein the fastener includes a biodegradable polymeric material.  
     
     
         8 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein a portion of the fastener is plastically deformable.  
     
     
         9 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein the second body member includes two channels extending through the first end and the exterior surface of the second body member.  
     
     
         10 . The fastener of  claim 9  wherein the first body member includes two passages extending through the second end of the first body member.  
     
     
         11 . A surgical fastener assembly comprising: 
 a suture;    a first body member having a cavity therein and having first and second ends, the first end having an opening providing access to the cavity, the first end having a projection extending into the cavity;    a second body member having first and second ends and an exterior surface between the ends, the second body member dimensioned to at least partially fit through the opening of the first body member and within the cavity of the first body member, the second body member having a channel extending through the first end and the exterior surface, the suture positionable within the channel, the first end having a recess configured for receiving the projection of the first body member to thereby grip the suture and lock the first and second body members together.    
     
     
         12 . The fastener of  claim 11  wherein the first and second body members are generally cylindrical and wherein the projection and recess are generally annular.  
     
     
         13 . The fastener of  claim 12  further including a passage extending through the second end of the first body member, the suture positionable through the passage.  
     
     
         14 . The fastener of  claim 12  wherein the projection is resiliently deflectable.  
     
     
         15 . The fastener of  claim 11  further including a flange extending from the first end of the second body member, the flange having a surface configured for contact with tissue.  
     
     
         16 . The fastener of  claim 11  wherein the channel is non-linear.  
     
     
         17 . The fastener of  claim 11  wherein the fastener includes a biodegradable polymeric material.  
     
     
         18 . The fastener of  claim 11  wherein a portion of the fastener is plastically deformable.  
     
     
         19 . The fastener of  claim 11  wherein the second body member includes two channels extending through the first end and the exterior surface of the second body member, the suture positionable within the channels.  
     
     
         20 . The fastener of  claim 19  wherein the first body member includes two passages extending through the second end of the first body member, the suture positionable within the passages.