Variable thickness tacking devices and methods of delivery and deployment

A system for deploying at least one tacking device, the system comprising:

• a first tacking device;
• an outer sheath having a lumen;
• a catheter having a lumen, wherein the catheter is configured for longitudinal movement within the lumen of the outer sheath, and wherein the first tacking device is configured to be selectively advanced through the lumen of the catheter;
• and
• at least one wedge member disposed along a flexible distal region of the catheter,
• wherein the wedge member is configured to form a constriction at a distal end of the catheter when the outer sheath is positioned over the distal end of the catheter, wherein the constriction facilitates selective deployment of the first tacking device through the distal end of the catheter, and
• wherein retraction of the outer sheath, proximally beyond the distal end of the catheter and the wedge member, is adapted to permit radially outward movement of the distal end of the catheter and the wedge member to thereby remove the constriction and permit deployment of the entirety of the first tacking device from the distal end of the catheter.

A method for deploying at least one tacking device, the method comprising:

• providing a tacking device comprising a main body having proximal and distal ends, a proximal base member disposed at the proximal end of the main body, and at least one tissue engaging member disposed at the distal end of the main body;
• disposing a spring member to surround the main body, wherein a proximal end of the spring member contacts the proximal base member;
• delivering the tacking device with the spring member in a relaxed state wherein the spring member is biased to extend distally towards the at least one tissue engaging member, wherein a distal end of the spring member is adapted to be disposed in substantially close proximity to the at least one tissue engaging member in the relaxed state;
• applying a compressive force to the spring member to cause the spring member to assume a compressed state in which the distal end of the spring member is spaced further apart from the at least one tissue engaging member;
• advancing the tissue engaging member to engage tissue when the spring member is in the compressed state, wherein at least one tissue segment of varying thickness is adapted to be captured between the distal end of the spring member and the at least one tissue engaging member;
• and
• removing the compressive force to allow the spring member to return towards the relaxed state and apply a compressive force upon the tissue.