| abstract |
A fastener delivery tool includes a belt (208) including pairs of features (286) for releasably engaging tines (6a, 6b) of respective fasteners (6) in a relaxed state defining a loop. The tool includes a loading chamber (218) for receiving a fastener from the belt, a retaining member (220) for limiting movement of the fastener within the loading chamber, an ejection track (223) communicating with the loading chamber, a handle (210) including an actuator (212), and a tongue (26) and pusher member (30) coupled to the actuator. Activation of the actuator advances the tongue to transform the fastener from the relaxed state to a U-shaped constrained state, and advances the pusher member to direct the fastener from the loading chamber down the ejection track. The tool may include a trigger for ejecting the fastener completely from the ejection track. The fastener may be used to secure a prosthetic heart valve or components thereof into surrounding tissue, e.g., within a tissue annulus. |