Patent ID: 7771440

Claim:
A gastric reduction apparatus which provides for the secure attachment of multiple fasteners into the gastric wall, the fasteners being linked with a flexible member in a manner permitting the reduction of the effective size of an individual's stomach, comprising: the gastric reduction apparatus including a proximal end and a distal end, the apparatus including a vacuum line in fluid communication with an applicator head at the distal end of the gastric reduction apparatus; the applicator head having a cavity defining an internal space and including a wide opening shaped and dimensioned for receiving tissue, the internal space defined by the cavity is in fluid communication with the vacuum line; a fastener attachment mechanism is positioned within the cavity for access to tissue that is pulled within the cavity, the fastener attachment mechanism includes at least one fastener, a hook and an anvil, the hook including a first end and a second end, the first end being shaped and dimensioned for grabbing the fastener and the second end being coupled to a firing mechanism for controlling contact of the fastener with the anvil.