| abstract |
An instrument, method and two-piece plastic-like fastener for surgically fastening tissue by: n (A) placing the tissue between: (1) a retainer of an absorbable material, that is located distally of the tissue and that has a hole which extends longitudinally through it; (2) an elongated rigid piercing member that is located proximally of the tissue, that extends longitudinally, and that has means on its distal end for piercing the tissue; and (3) a fastener of an absorbable material, that is also located proximally of the tissue and that has a distally extending prong which, during distal movement of the fastener, can (a) move distally through an opening pierced in the tissue by the piercing member and (b) then move distally into the retainer hole to hold the retainer and fastener together; n (B) then moving the piercing member distally so that its distal end pierces the tissue; and n (C) then moving the fastener distally so that its prong moves through the opening pierced in the tissue and into the retainer hole to hold the retainer and fastener together. |