Tissue fasteners and related deployment systems and methods

Abstract

Surgical tissue fasteners and related deployment systems and methods are disclosed. A tissue fastener used to join multiple tissue layers includes a first member, a second member, and a connecting member connecting the first and second members. In some embodiments, the first and second members are configured to expand from a delivered state to a deployed state in which the fastener secures the tissue layers together. Other tissue fastener embodiments include means for applying a substantially constant force on the tissue layers and/or means for adjusting a length of the connecting member between the first and second members.

1 - 72 . (canceled) 
     
     
         73 . A tissue fastener used to join multiple tissue layers within a body, comprising:
 a proximal member configured to transform from a delivered state to a deployed state;   a distal member configured to transform from a delivered state to a deployed state; and   a flexible connecting member connecting the proximal member and the distal member together, wherein, in the deployed state of each of the proximal member and the distal member, the proximal member and the distal member secure the multiple tissue layers together in a manner that permits the proximal member to articulate with respect to the distal member.   
     
     
         74 . The tissue fastener of  claim 73 , wherein, in the deployed state of each of the proximal member and the distal member, the tissue fastener is configured to permit adjustment of a length of the connecting member between the proximal member and the distal member. 
     
     
         75 . The tissue fastener of  claim 74 , wherein the connecting member extends through at least one of the proximal member and the distal member. 
     
     
         76 . The tissue fastener of  claim 73 , wherein the connecting member includes suture material. 
     
     
         77 . The tissue fastener of  claim 73 , wherein the connecting member includes one of a knit, a woven, or a braided material. 
     
     
         78 . The tissue fastener of  claim 73 , wherein, in the deployed state of each of the proximal member and the distal member, the tissue fastener is configured to provide substantially constant force on the multiple tissue layers as a thickness of the multiple tissue layers vary. 
     
     
         79 . The tissue fastener of  claim 73 , wherein at least one of the proximal member and the distal member includes a fabric material. 
     
     
         80 . The tissue fastener of  claim 73 , wherein at least one of the proximal member and the distal member is a flexible plate. 
     
     
         81 . The tissue fastener of  claim 73 , wherein at least one of the proximal member and the distal member has a disk-like shape. 
     
     
         82 . The tissue fastener of  claim 73 , wherein at least one of the proximal member and the distal member has a braided configuration. 
     
     
         83 . The tissue fastener of  claim 74 , wherein, at least one of the proximal member and the distal member in the corresponding deployed state, is configured to flex and conform to a shape of an underlying tissue surface. 
     
     
         84 . A tissue fastener used to join multiple tissue layers within a body, comprising:
 a proximal member configured to transform from a delivered state to a deployed state;   a distal member configured to transform from a delivered state to a deployed state; and   a suture connecting the proximal member and the distal member together to secure the multiple tissue layers together, wherein, in the deployed state of each of the proximal member and the distal member, a length of the suture extends proximally through the proximal member.   
     
     
         85 . The tissue fastener of  claim 84 , wherein, in the deployed state of each of the proximal member and the distal member, the tissue fastener is configured to permit adjustment of a length of the suture between the proximal member and the distal member. 
     
     
         86 . The tissue fastener of  claim 84 , wherein at least one of the proximal member and the distal member includes a fabric material. 
     
     
         87 . The tissue fastener of  claim 84 , wherein at least one of the proximal member and the distal member has a disk-like shape. 
     
     
         88 . The tissue fastener of  claim 84 , wherein, in the deployed state of each of the proximal member and the distal member, at least one of the proximal member and the distal member is configured to flex and conform to a shape of an underlying tissue surface. 
     
     
         89 . A tissue fastener used to join multiple tissue layers within a body, comprising:
 a proximal member configured to transform from a delivered state to a deployed state;   a distal member configured to transform from a delivered state to a deployed state, wherein at least one of the proximal member and the distal member includes a fabric material, and in the corresponding deployed state, is configured to flex and conform to a shape of an underlying tissue surface; and   a flexible connecting member connecting the proximal member and the distal member together to secure the multiple tissue layers together in a manner that permits the proximal member to articulate with respect to the distal member, and permits adjustment of a length of the connecting member between the proximal member and the distal member, wherein a length of the connecting member extends proximally through the proximal member.   
     
     
         90 . The tissue fastener of  claim 89 , wherein the connecting member includes a suture material. 
     
     
         91 . The tissue fastener of  claim 89 , wherein both the proximal member and the distal member includes a fabric material. 
     
     
         92 . The tissue fastener of  claim 91 , wherein each of the proximal member and the distal member has a disk-like shape in the corresponding deployed configuration.