Method and apparatus for tissue fastening with single translating trigger operation

A method for gathering and securing opposed tissue with a fastener comprising:

• providing a fastener apparatus having:
• an applicator assembly operably configured to deploy a fastener having a generally symmetric u-shaped configuration in a first plane defined through a widest aspect of the fastener;
• a tissue manipulation assembly operably configured to move from a relaxed position to a grasping position in a second plane generally transverse to the first plane;
• and
• a translating trigger assembly operably coupled to the applicator assembly and the tissue manipulation assembly, the trigger assembly operably configured to move from a relaxed position, through a first position, to a second position along a third plane that is generally transverse to both the first plane and the second plane;
• positioning at least a portion of the applicator assembly in an interface between the opposed tissue;
• advancing the trigger assembly from the relaxed position through the first position along the third plane wherein the tissue manipulation assembly moves in the second plane to gather a portion of the tissue;
• and
• moving the trigger assembly from the first position to the second position along the third plane wherein the applicator assembly deploys the fastener into opposed tissue along the first plane.

A method for forming an interrupted closure of opposed tissue on adjacent sides of a skin wound comprising:

• providing an apparatus having a plurality of fasteners, wherein the length of each of the plurality of fasteners is shorter than a longitudinal length of the skin wound;
• positioning at least a portion of the fastener apparatus in an interface between the opposed tissue;
• approximating the opposed tissue without overlapping the opposed tissue along the longitudinal length of the skin wound;
• deploying a first fastener into subcutaneous tissue in a first direction along the longitudinal length of the skin wound without penetrating the epidermis of the tissue;
• and
• deploying a second fastener into subcutaneous tissue in the first direction without penetrating the epidermis of the tissue such that an interrupted closure is formed whereby the plurality of fasteners are located discretely along the longitudinal length of the skin wound so as to prohibit communication of infectious material along the longitudinal length of the skin wound.