Integrated Handle Assembly for Anchor Delivery System

Abstract

Integrated systems and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for such purposes.

1 .- 82 . (canceled) 
     
     
         83 . An anchor assembly configured to be delivered via a delivery device, comprising:
 a connector;   a first anchor configured to be joined to the connector; and   a second anchor comprising a tubular portion and a tail portion, wherein the tail portion is constrained by the delivery device to a generally straight configuration with respect to the tubular portion when introduced to a target area and wherein the tail portion is deployed to a generally orthogonal configuration with respect to the tubular portion.   
     
     
         84 . The anchor assembly of  claim 83  wherein the second anchor further comprises a middle portion. 
     
     
         85 . The anchor assembly of  claim 84  wherein the middle portion has a width less than the tubular portion. 
     
     
         86 . The anchor assembly of  claim 84  further comprising a connecting portion positioned between the middle portion and the tail portion. 
     
     
         87 . The anchor assembly of  claim 86  wherein the connecting portion has a width less than the tail portion. 
     
     
         88 . The anchor assembly of  claim 86  wherein the connecting portion comprises a resilient material. 
     
     
         89 . The anchor assembly of  claim 86  wherein the connecting portion is configured to move the tail portion from a generally straight configuration with respect to the tubular portion when introduced to a target area to a generally orthogonal configuration with respect to the tubular portion when the second anchor is deployed. 
     
     
         90 . The anchor assembly of  claim 83  wherein the tail portion comprises a section of a tubular member. 
     
     
         91 . The anchor assembly of  claim 84  wherein the middle portion comprises a section of a tubular member. 
     
     
         92 . An anchor assembly configured to be delivered via a delivery device, comprising:
 a connector;   a first anchor configured to be attached to the connector; and   a second anchor formed from a tubular member and comprising a joining portion, a middle portion, and a tail portion wherein the tail portion is constrained by the delivery device to a generally linear configuration with respect to the joining portion when introduced to a target area and wherein the tail portion is deployed to a generally orthogonal configuration with respect to the joining portion.   
     
     
         93 . The anchor assembly of  claim 92  wherein the joining portion of the second anchor is attached to the connector. 
     
     
         94 . The anchor assembly of  claim 92  wherein the middle portion has a cross-section that is less than a full cross-section of the tubular member. 
     
     
         95 . The anchor assembly of  claim 92  wherein the tail portion has a cross-section that is less than a full cross-section of the tubular member. 
     
     
         96 . The anchor assembly of  claim 92  wherein the middle portion further comprises a spring portion. 
     
     
         97 . The anchor assembly of  claim 96  wherein the spring portion is configured to deflect the tail portion to the generally orthogonal configuration when the second anchor is deployed. 
     
     
         98 . An anchor component for use in an anchor assembly delivered to a patient via a delivery device, comprising:
 a head section having a tubular cross-section and configured to be joined to a suture;   a middle section having a semi-tubular cross-section; and   a tail section having a semi-tubular cross-section, wherein the tail section is configured to be orthogonal to the head section when the anchor component is in an unconstrained state.   
     
     
         99 . The anchor component of  claim 98  wherein the head section is configured to be joined to the suture by placing the suture partially within an interior space of the head section. 
     
     
         100 . The anchor component of  claim 98  wherein the middle section further comprises a spring section configured to be generally parallel to the head section when the anchor component is constrained by the delivery device. 
     
     
         101 . The anchor component of  claim 100  wherein the spring section adopts a curved configuration when the anchor component is in an unconstrained state. 
     
     
         102 . The anchor component of  claim 100  wherein the spring section has a cross-section with a width less than the width of the cross-section of the tail section.