A fastener for insertion into pierced openings of a tissue wound has a
body formed of a generally bioabsorbable polymer defining an initial
capture area internal to the body. The body includes a pair of arms, each
with an inwardly projecting cleat operably joined at an elbow portion
defining an internal elbow angle. The arms are operably joined to a
backspan at a shoulder portion defining an internal shoulder angle. A
durable tissue retention zone is defined between the cleat and the arm.
The elbow portion and the internal elbow angle define an insertion width
greater than a width of the pierced openings resulting in the pierced
openings stretching over the cleat and being elastically retained within
the durable tissue retention zone. The fastener initially captures wound
tissue in the initial capture area and then dynamically reforms in
response to lateral stresses applied by the wound tissue without a
fracture failure of the fastener until a minimum degradation period.