Patent ID: 7175648

Claim:
An endoscopic stapling assembly for securing tissue internal to the body, utilizing a flexible endoscope, comprising: a staple for clamping or securing tissue inside of the body; means operatively engageable with said staple for securing said staple in a closed position once staple is positioned and closed on desired tissue, said means for securing said staple in said closed position including a backbone made of rigid material having a pair of legs slidable over a backside of said staple and securable firmly over the closed staple, said legs having inwardly extending protrusions engageable in notches or recesses provided in said staple for locking into place over said closed staple; a tubular member carrying active stapler components; and means, operatively connected to said tubular member, for holding said staple during deployment thereof and manipulating said staple into an open or closed position, said active stapler components being operatively connected to said means for holding and manipulating, for operating same.