Paragraph Number

105

In FIG. 15, the advancement mechanism 214 has been operated to advance the pushrod 208 so that it has pushed the suture locking member 160 out of the proximal member 104 and into the anchor body 102 to secure the suture limbs 220, 222 within the anchor body 102. Preferably, the first portion 210 of the pushrod 208 extends sufficiently far distally from the second portion 212 of the pushrod 208 that the suture locking member 160 is fully inserted into the anchor body 102 before the second portion 212 of the pushrod begins to transmit axial force through the retainer 180 to the proximal end 108 of the anchor body 102. Once the suture locking member 160 is fully inserted, further operation of the advancement mechanism 214 presses the second portion 212 of the pushrod against the retainer 180 which presses against the anchor body 102 causing anchor body 102 to separate from the proximal member 104 at the frangible connection 106 as shown in FIG. 16. Separation of the members transforms the “U”-shaped openings 158, 159 of the proximal member 104 into distally open “U”-shaped slots that will release the suture limbs 220, 222 sideways out of the slots without the need for the ends of the suture limbs to be pulled through the openings 158, 159. In this way, the suture limbs 220, 222 will be released from the proximal member 104 even if the ends of the suture limbs 220, 222 are attached at another location or otherwise inaccessible.

Added by DJM 9 2021