A heart valve can be replaced using minimally invasive methods which
include a sutureless sewing cuff that and a fastener delivery tool that
holds the cuff against the patient's tissue while delivering fasteners to
attach the cuff to the tissue from the inside out. The tool stores a
plurality of fasteners and is self-contained whereby a fastener is
delivered and placed all from inside a vessel. The fasteners are
self-forming whereby they do not need an anvil to be formed. Anchor
elements are operated from outside the patient's body to cinch a
prosthesis to an anchoring cuff of the valve body. The cuff is releasably
mounted on the tool and the tool holds the cuff against tissue and drives
the fastener through the cuff and the tissue before folding over the legs
of the fastener whereby secure securement between the cuff and the tissue
is assured. Fasteners are placed and formed whereby fasteners are located
continuously throughout the entire circumference of the cuff. A minimally
invasive surgical method is disclosed, and a method and tool are
disclosed for repairing abdominal aortic aneurysms in a minimally
invasive manner. Fasteners that are permanently deformed during the
process of attaching the cuff are disclosed as are fasteners that are not
permanently deformed during the attaching process.