An surgical tilt-tag staple comprising an elongated joining member having a first end and a second end, a first tilt-tag joined to the first end of the joining member and a second tilt-tag joined to the second end of the joining member, each of the first and second tilt-tags normally aligned perpendicularly to the joining member, the tilt-tags bendable under resistance into a position substantially parallel to the joining member and returning to the normal position when resistance is removed, is used to attach a medical device to the inner mucosa of a gastro-intestinal tract of a patient using ultrasound real time visualization and a flexible endoscope. Tilt-tag staples constructed of nickel-titanium alloy are preferred. Removal of such tilt-tag staples can be facilitated by cooling a tilt-tag. Medical devices with an electrical lead can be implanted without conventional suturing by using one terminal tilt tag on the lead to implant it.