Interlocking tissue anchor apparatus and methods are described herein. In
creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation
assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement
member slidably disposed through the tubular member and a distal end
adapted to engage tissue via a helical member, tissue stabilizing members
positioned at the tubular member distal end which are adapted to
stabilize tissue therebetween, and a delivery tube pivotable about the
tissue stabilizer. Anchor assemblies can be delivered via the tissue
manipulation assembly into or through the tissue. The anchors can
incorporate various temporary interlocking features or spacing elements
between one another to ensure that an anchor is not prematurely ejected
from the needle assembly. This allows the anchor assembly to be advanced
distally as well as withdrawn proximally within a deployment sheath while
avoiding inadvertently ejecting an anchor.