Patent ID: 8430891

Claim:
A method of forming a gastric reduction pouch comprising the steps of: introducing a device into a stomach, the device having an expandable structure movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position, means for evacuating the stomach to deflate the stomach around the expandable structure when the expandable structure is expanded to form a gastric reduction pouch, the introducing step also being carried out with the evacuating means extending through the expandable structure, wherein the fastener is carried on the evacuating means, and wherein the device also includes a pusher that pushes the fastener through the expandable member; expanding the expandable structure inside the stomach; evacuating the stomach using the evacuating means to deflate the stomach around the expandable structure while the expandable structure is expanded; fastening an annular fold of the stomach adjacent a distal end of the expanded expandable structure to maintain the gastric reduction pouch using a fastener, the fastener being positioned distal to the expandable structure when the fastener is initially secured to the annular fold of the stomach; and removing the expandable structure from the stomach.