IMPROVED APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SECURING TO AN INTERNAL WALL OF A BIOLOGICAL LUMEN

摘要

An improved apparatus and method for securing to an internal wall of a biological lumen. In one aspect the invention is an apparatus comprising: a curved needle having a lead end and a trailing end, the curved needle pivotable about an axis between an open position and a closed position and adapted to pierce and engage the internal wall of the lumen when pivoted from the open position to the closed position; a needle cavity extending through the curved needle; a loop of string having a rear portion and a forward portion having a snag; and the loop of string positioned within the needle cavity so that the snag protrudes from the needle cavity at or near the lead end of the curved needle. In another aspect, the invention is a method of securing the inventive apparatus to the internal wall using solely the loop of string.