Patent ID: 8551134

Claim:
A method for delivering a staple to seal an opening through tissue comprising: receiving a staple slidably disposed about an outer surface of an elongate member, the elongate member having a centerline axis and a substantially conically shaped distally flared portion, and a sheath surrounding the staple and overlying at least a portion of the outer surface of the elongate member; inserting a distal end of the elongate member into the opening through tissue; advancing the staple over the distally flared portion of the elongate member, the step of advancing the staple causing at least three distally facing tissue-piercing prongs of the staple to move away from the centerline axis along respective radial lines extending from centerline axis to cause the sheath to diametrically expand; and deploying the staple from the elongate member within the opening such that the distally facing prongs pierce the tissue and move towards the centerline axis along the respective radial lines.