Patent ID: 7691112

Claim:
A method for suturing partially overlapping tissue flaps in a mammalian heart, comprising: loading a suturing device into an elongate member to form a suturing system, said elongate member comprising a cutting member and said suturing device comprising a first tissue engaging member a second tissue engaging member, and a first interconnecting member comprising a first fixed end connected to the first tissue engaging member, and a second fixed end connected to the second tissue engaging member thereby connecting the first tissue engaging member to the second tissue engaging member; inserting the suturing system into a right atrium of the heart puncturing a first through-hole in a first tissue flap at a non-overlapping portion of the flaps with the cutting member of the elongate member; introducing the first tissue engaging member of the suturing device through the first through-hole and into the left atrium while connected to the second tissue engagement member; positioning the first tissue engaging member on a surface of the tissue flap substantially approximal to the first through-hole; retracting the elongate member proximally from the left atrium into the right atrium in the heart; puncturing a second through-hole in a second tissue-flap with the cutting member of the elongate member before retracting the elongate member from the heart; introducing the second tissue engaging member of the suturing device while connected to the first tissue engaging member through the second through-hole and into the left atrium; and positioning the second tissue engaging member on a surface of the tissue flap substantially approximal to the second through-hole; and retracting the elongate member from the heart.