Abstract: Methods for deploying a fastener to close an incision or wound involve exposing the inner surface of each opposing side of the incision and inserting down into the exposed inner surfaces from above the fastener.

Abstract: Methods for deploying a fastener to close an incision or wound involve exposing the inner surface of each opposing side of the incision and inserting down into the exposed inner surfaces from above the fastener.

Abstract: A tissue fastener includes a bridge section and two cannulated leg sections. The tissue fastener is a single piece of material, and the material can be a bioabsorbable material. Each of the two leg sections can include at least one barb for resisting dislodgement from tissue after the fastener is inserted into tissue. The bridge can be flexible, and the leg sections can receive needles to allow insertion of the fastener into tissue from above a surface of the tissue. Various insertion devices and mechanisms are possible to deploy the fastener into a wound in a patient's skin from above the surface of and generally perpendicular to the skin.

Abstract: A mechanism for deploying a fastener into skin tissue comprises a first foot, a second foot, and an insertion device. The first foot is configured to contact an external surface of the skin tissue on one side of an incision or wound. The second foot is configured to contact the external skin surface on the other side of the incision/wound. The first and second feet are spaced apart by a gap, and each is configured to allow the skin tissue from one side of the incision or wound to be retracted thereover at an acute angle to expose an inner surface of each of the sides of the incision or wound. The insertion device releasably holds the fastener and is movable to deploy the fastener into the exposed inner surfaces from above and generally perpendicular to the external skin surface.

Abstract: A tissue fastener includes a bridge section and two cannulated leg sections. The tissue fastener is a single piece of material, and the material can be a bioabsorbable material. Each of the two leg sections can include at least one barb for resisting dislodgement from tissue after the fastener is inserted into tissue. The bridge can be flexible, and the leg sections can receive needles to allow insertion of the fastener into tissue from above a surface of the tissue. Various insertion devices and mechanisms are possible to deploy the fastener into a wound in a patient's skin from above the surface of and generally perpendicular to the skin.