Patent ID: 8192458

Claim:
A method for closing an opening in a tissue, the method comprising the steps of: providing a surgical fastener comprising: a shaft; a bar extending radially outwardly from a proximal end of said shaft; a fin extending radially outwardly from said shaft proximate a distal end of said shaft, said bar and said fin being in alignment with each other along a side of said shaft; and providing a holder for said fastener, said holder having disposed therein an opening for retaining said fastener, and an entry way for receiving an installation tool having a carrier portion thereon adapted to receive and retain said fastener, said carrier portion having cutting means thereon; said entry way and opening being configured to guide said installation tool carrier portion into engagement with said fastener; whereby upon withdrawal of said installation tool from said holder, said fastener is removed from said holder and is engaged with said installation tool carrier portion; providing an installation tool comprising: an elongated rigid tube, having at a distal end thereof a carrier portion, said carrier portion being movable between a first position in said tube and a second position extended from a distal end of said tube, said carrier portion having an open side from which extend end portions of said bar and said fin; and control means for moving said carrier portion and said fastener therein into a body of tissue, and to withdraw said carrier portion from said tissue; inserting said carrier portion of said installation tool into said holder opening and withdrawing said installation tool from said holder with said fastener engaged with said installation tool carrier portion; placing said distal end of said tube adjacent the tissue and proximate the opening in the tissue; manipulating said installation tool control means to move said carrier portion distally out of said tube and into the tissue until said fastener bar engages said tissue; and manipulating said installation tool control means to move said carrier portion proximally into said tube, whereby to cause withdrawal of said carrier portion, whereupon said fin resists withdrawal of said fastener and said fastener remains in said tissue as said installation tool is withdrawn therefrom, to leave said fastener in the tissue.