Patent ID: 7462185

Claim:
A method for stapling tissue in an animal body having a vasculature composed of tissue, comprising: providing an intravascular stapling tool including a stapler head connected to a catheter, wherein said stapler head includes at least a first holder and a second holder, each said holder including two columns between which a staple is held, said staple including a plurality of tines, and wherein each column includes on an inner surface thereof a ramp element curved inward toward the bottom of said column, each said ramp element terminating in a foot, wherein said holders are oriented generally parallel to one another; creating an incision in a peripheral vessel; inserting the stapler head through said incision; utilizing said catheter to advance said stapler head along the vasculature; and urging one said staple to exit the corresponding said first holder, said first holder located in a deployment position, such that said tines of said staple deform inward as a result of contact between the distal ends of said tines against corresponding said ramp elements and feet; indexing said holders substantially linearly such that said first holder moves out of said deployment position and said second holder moved into said deployment position; and then urging one said staple out of said second holder, such that said tines of said staple deform inward as a result of contact between the distal ends of said tines against corresponding said ramp elements and feet.