Patent ID: 8211142

Claim:
A method for joining tissue, comprising: inserting an applier device into a stomach through a natural body orifice, the applier device having an actuation portion with a fastener disposed thereon; forming a first opening in a sidewall of the stomach and a second opening in a sidewall of a jejunum; inserting the applier device through the first and second openings such that the actuation portion and at least a portion of the fastener are between the stomach and the jejunum; and deploying a first portion of the fastener into the jejunum through the actuation portion of the applier device, and then moving the first portion of the fastener toward the stomach to bring the jejunum into contact with the stomach, and then deploying a second portion of the fastener into the stomach, thereby joining the stomach and jejunum to form an anastomosis between the stomach and jejunum wherein the second and first portions of the fastener respectively comprise proximal and distal ring members joined by a connecting element, the proximal and distal ring members each having a plurality of expandable arms extending therefrom that are adapted to engage tissue.