Abstract: A method and apparatus to allow a user to quickly and inexpensively repair the dilation of the mitral annulus is presented. In some embodiments, the method and apparatus should allow the user to reduce the size of the annulus to a predetermined size and allow him to secure the annulus so that it remains at the selected size. An apparatus may include a retractor. The retractor may assist in positioning a portion of the annulus. The apparatus may be part of a system including one or more fasteners. The fasteners may inhibit deformation of the reduced diameter of the mitral valve annulus. In some embodiments, the method may include incising a portion proximate to the mitral valve annulus. The method may include positioning a device through the incision, attaching the device with a plurality of attachment members, and deforming the device while observing the annulus and a surrounding area.

Abstract: A method for delivering an anchor member into biological tissue comprising: accessing and preparing an insertion site for the anchor member; holding the anchor member at a distal end of an insertion tool; providing the anchor member to the site with the insertion tool; causing a rotational movement of the anchor member about a first axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insertion tool whereby the anchor member engages the tissue at the site by moving about the first axis from a first position substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis to a second position at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis; and withdrawing the insertion tool from the site, leaving the anchor member secured at the site.

Abstract: A method for delivering an anchor member into biological tissue comprising: accessing and preparing an insertion site for the anchor member; holding the anchor member at a distal end of an insertion tool; providing the anchor member to the site with the insertion tool; causing a rotational movement of the anchor member about a first axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insertion tool whereby the anchor member engages the tissue at the site by moving about the first axis from a first position substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis to a second position at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis; and withdrawing the insertion tool from the site, leaving the anchor member secured at the site.

Abstract: A method for delivering an anchor member into biological tissue comprising: accessing and preparing an insertion site for the anchor member; holding the anchor member at a distal end of an insertion tool; providing the anchor member to the site with the insertion tool; causing a rotational movement of the anchor member about a first axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insertion tool whereby the anchor member engages the tissue at the site by moving about the first axis from a first position substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis to a second position at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis; and withdrawing the insertion tool from the site, leaving the anchor member secured at the site.

Abstract: An insertion tool for a rotor blade anchor. The anchor is pivotably coupled to a handle so that the anchor can assume a first position in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the handle. The tool is designed to be rotated about the longitudinal axis so that the anchor, when placed in a bore hole in biological tissue, can attain a second position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The anchor itself includes a cutting surface thereon. A deploy spring is disposed on the handle and biases the anchor toward the second position. In use, when the rotor blade is inserted into an object such as a bone, the object moves the anchor toward alignment with the longitudinal axis. When the anchor is inserted far enough into the object, a user rotates the handle and the anchor. The deploy spring biases the cutting surface so that is engages with the sidewall of the borehole. The rotation of the handle causes the cutting surface to cut into the object.

Abstract: A method for securing an anchor to biological tissue, the anchor being detachably and pivotably mounted to an insertion tool, the anchor having a longitudinal axis, the insertion tool having a first axis that extends longitudinally with respect to the insertion tool and a second axis which extends perpendicularly to the first axis, the method including releasably holding the anchor at a distal end of the insertion tool with the anchor being held at least partly within a sheath member of the insertion too.

Abstract: A method for securing an anchor to biological tissue, the anchor being detachably and pivotably mounted to an insertion tool, the anchor having a longitudinal axis, the insertion tool having a first axis that extends longitudinally with respect to the insertion tool and a second axis which extends perpendicularly to the first axis, the method including releasably holding the anchor at a distal end of the insertion tool with the anchor being held at least partly within a sheath member of the insertion tool; inserting the anchor held by said insertion tool, with the longitudinal axis of the anchor being disposed in an orientation that is not perpendicular to the first axis, into a borehole in the biological tissue; actuating a member at a proximal end of the insertion tool thereby to move the anchor distally out of the sheath member; applying a biasing force to the anchor to bias the anchor toward a position that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis; the biasing force causing said anchor to rotate a