tip 102 of a conventional flexible endoscope generally designated by 104 by means of a visually transparent cap 106 having an interference fit with the tip an actuation cable 110 extends rearward beside the endoscope 104 the cable 110 includes a grip not shown at its end opposite the cartridge 100 for pulling the cable to actuate the cartridge advancing a staple 30 and applying it to tissue as will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art the cartridges 22 100 described above allow a surgeon to perform a method of approximating mucosa in a hollow body organ the cartridge is positioned adjacent the tissue and the cartridge is actuated to advance a staple 30 into position so its points 40 extend from the cartridge in one embodiment it is envisioned that the staple 30 may be partially deformed so the points 40 are slightly angled toward each other the surgeon advances the cartridge sticking one of the points into the mucosal tissue near one edge of the wound the device is manipulated such as with a remote steering device or in the case of the second embodiment by manipulating the endoscope so that the opposite side of the wound is engaged by the opposite staple tip 40 the cartridge is then fully actuated to complete the staple formation in so doing the two edges of.