Patent ID: 7399305

Claim:
A method for treating internal hemorrhoids of a patient, the method comprising the following steps: i) providing a surgical device including a body portion, a head portion including an anvil and a shell assembly supported on a distal end of the body portion and a tissue tensioning device including a tissue engagement member, wherein the anvil is movable in relation to the shell assembly between approximated and unapproximated positions and the tissue engagement member is positioned between and movable in relation to the anvil and the shell assembly; ii) placing a purse string suture into or adjacent internal hemorrhoids; iii) inserting the head portion of the surgical device into the anus and rectum to a position in which the internal hemorrhoids and the purse string suture are located between the anvil and the shell assembly; iv) cinching the purse string suture about a shaft of the anvil; v) adjusting the position of the tissue engagement member in relation to the shell assembly to pull tissue towards the shell assembly; and vi) operating the surgical device to treat the internal hemorrhoids.