System for securing a portion of a body

Abstract

Embodiments may have one or more projections which engage one or more recesses to position the sections of the retainer relative to each other. An applicator assembly may be used to apply energy to the retainer. Energy applied to the retainer may affect bonding of end portions of the projections to bottom portions of recesses in the retainer. The end portions of the projections may function as energy directors which concentrate energy. The applicator assembly may grip the retainer with a predetermined force. While the applicator assembly is gripping the retainer, the applicator assembly may apply energy to the retainer to effect bonding of sections of the retainer together.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for securing a portion of a body of a patient, comprising:
 a first implant;   a second implant having a projection configured to be positioned against the first implant;   at least one of a suture and a tissue configured to be positioned between the first implant and the second implant; and   an applicator assembly configured to retain the first and second implant, the applicator assembly having a handle, a shield, an anvil, a trigger mechanism including a trigger pivotally connected to the handle, and a transmitting member configured to apply force and ultrasonic energy to the first or second implant,   wherein application of force and ultrasonic energy joins and deforms the first and second implants, such that the projection on the second implant directly joins to the first implant when at least one of the suture and the tissue is positioned between the first implant and the second implant, the joining and deforming of the first implant and second implant securely fastening at least one of the suture and the tissue,   and wherein actuation of the pivotally connected trigger of the trigger mechanism is configured to release the joined first and second implants.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the projection is configured to concentrate the ultrasonic energy. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the application of ultrasonic energy softens at least a portion of the projection. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the application of the force is initiated during the application of the ultrasonic energy. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the application of the force is continued after the application of the ultrasonic energy. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second implants are configured to be positioned by a robotic mechanism.