Surgical helical fastener with applicator

Abstract

A helical fastener having a high retentive surface area is provided and has a first end for enhancing penetration into tissue and a second end comprising a coil sectioning a diameter of the fastener for receiving longitudinal and rotational forces. The helical fasteners are attached to body tissue by a fastener applicator having a proximal portion comprising a handle and an actuator and an elongate distal portion for housing a plurality of fasteners. A transferring action of the actuator provides longitudinal and rotational movement of the fasteners out of the distal portion and into body tissue.

1 . (canceled)  
   
   
       2 . A surgical fastener comprising: 
 a continuous double helical coil having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end terminating with dual points each for piercing tissue;    dual first helical coil sections adjacent the distal end each being associated with one of the dual points and each defining a gap therebetween; and    a connecting bar at the proximal end for engagement with an applicator for inserting the double helical coil into tissue to position.    
   
   
       3 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the gap is adapted to determine depth of penetration and pitch of the fastener in tissue and retentive strength of the fastener to tissue.  
   
   
       4 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the continuous double helical coil has uniform pitch between coils.  
   
   
       5 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the continuous double helical coil has a pitch between coils that can be varied by the applicator.  
   
   
       6 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the continuous double helical coil has a pitch that can be increased as the fastener is inserted into tissue.  
   
   
       7 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the continuous double helical coil is formed from a resorbable material.  
   
   
       8 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the continuous double helical coil is formed from a biocompatible metal.  
   
   
       9 . The fastener of  claim 2 , wherein the continuous double helical coil is longitudinally collapsible and expandable.  
   
   
       10 . The fastener of  claim 2 , further comprising a pivot post extending from the connecting bar and toward the distal end, the pivot post having a pointed terminal end.  
   
   
       11 . A surgical fastener comprising: 
 a plurality of helical spikes engageable with body tissue, each of the plurality of helical spikes having a helical central axis that forms a helix around the central axis of the surgical fastener, wherein each of the plurality of helical spikes further includes a circular cross-sectional configuration as viewed in a plane extending perpendicular to the helical central axis of each of the helical spikes and having a distal end portion with a tip that penetrates the body tissue as the surgical fastener is rotated relative to the body tissue; and    a connecting member located at a proximal end of the surgical fastener, the connecting member extending transverse to the central axis of the surgical fastener and attached to each of the helical spikes in the plurality of helical spikes, wherein the connecting member is engageable with the body tissue.    
   
   
       12 . An applicator for applying fasteners comprising: 
 an elongate tubular member;    a rotator disposed in the tubular member;    a housing coupled to a proximal end of the tubular member;    a trigger pivotably disposed in the housing;    at least one fastener disposed in the tubular member, the at least one fastener having a helical configuration;    an actuation mechanism disposed in the housing, the actuation mechanism responsive to manipulation of the trigger for rotating the rotator relative to the tubular member and advancing the at least one fastener towards a distal end of the tubular member.    
   
   
       13 . The applicator of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the tubular member includes threads for engaging the at least one fastener.  
   
   
       14 . The applicator of  claim 12 , further including a load spring for biasing the at least one fastener towards the distal end of the tubular member.  
   
   
       15 . The applicator of  claim 12 , wherein the rotator extends substantially the length of the tubular member.  
   
   
       16 . The applicator of  claim 12 , further including a lead screw rotatably disposed in the housing and responsive to manipulation of the trigger.  
   
   
       17 . The applicator of  claim 16 , wherein the rotator is rotatably coupled to the lead screw.