Absorbable fastener for hernia mesh fixation

Abstract

A method of forming and deploying an improved absorbable fastener for hernia mesh fixation is disclosed. The absorbable fastener of the present disclosure functions to securely fasten tough, non macro-porous, and relative inelastic mesh to soft tissue. The fastener is formed from co-polymers of lactide and glycolide.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A fastener applier apparatus comprising:
 a body;   a trigger supported on the body;   an outer tube extending from the body; and   at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener configured to threadably advance through the outer tube in response to actuation of the trigger.   
     
     
         3 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a pinion gear supported on the body and operatively connected to the trigger, wherein actuation of the trigger results in rotation of the pinion gear in a first direction. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein release of the trigger results in rotation of the pinion gear in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a bevel gear supported on the body and operatively connected to the pinion gear, wherein rotation of the pinion gear in the first direction engages the bevel gear to rotate the bevel gear in the first direction, and wherein the bevel gear does not rotate as the pinion gear rotates in the second direction. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein one complete squeeze of the trigger results in one complete rotation of the bevel gear. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 5 , further including a drive tooth associated with the pinion gear, and wherein the bevel gear defines a groove formed in a surface thereof for selective receipt of the drive tooth therein. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein rotation of the pinion gear in the first direction causes the drive tooth to engage the groove of the bevel gear to enable the bevel gear to rotate in the first direction. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein rotation of the pinion gear in the second direction causes the drive tooth to disengage from the groove of the bevel gear and prevent the bevel gear from rotating in the second direction. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener includes a threaded head section and a distal tissue snaring section, the threaded head section threadably engaged with threads of the outer tube to facilitate distal advancement of the at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener through the outer tube. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener distally advances through the outer tube in response to rotation of the pinion gear in the first direction. 
     
     
         12 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 5 , further including a bevel pinion coupled to the bevel gear, the bevel pinion rotatable in response to rotation of the bevel gear. 
     
     
         13 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 12 , further including an inner tube coupled to the bevel pinion and rotatable in response to rotation of the bevel pinion. 
     
     
         14 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the inner tube is configured to distally advance the at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener through the outer tube in response to rotation of the inner tube relative to the outer tube. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the trigger is spring-biased toward an unactuated position by a return spring. 
     
     
         16 . A fastener applier apparatus comprising:
 a body;   an outer tube extending from the body;   an inner tube rotatably supported in the outer tube; and   at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener configured to threadably advance through the outer tube in response to rotation of the inner tube relative to the outer tube.   
     
     
         17 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener includes a threaded head section and a distal tissue snaring section, the threaded head section threadably engaged with threads of the outer tube to facilitate distal advancement of the at least one non-cannulated threaded fastener through the outer tube. 
     
     
         18 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a pinion gear supported on the body. 
     
     
         19 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a bevel gear supported on the body and operatively connected to the pinion gear, wherein rotation of the pinion gear in a first direction engages the bevel gear to rotate the bevel gear. 
     
     
         20 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the bevel gear does not rotate as the pinion gear rotates in a second direction. 
     
     
         21 . The fastener applier apparatus of  claim 18 , further including a drive tooth associated with the pinion gear, and wherein the bevel gear defines a groove formed in a surface thereof for selective receipt of the drive tooth therein.