Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a handle and an articulating shaft extending from the distal end of the handle. The articulating shaft includes a proximal shaft section, a distal shaft section, and an articulating joint. An articulation control element is coupled with the proximal shaft section for articulating the distal shaft section relative to the proximal shaft section via the articulating joint. The applicator instrument includes an incompressible member interconnecting the proximal and distal shaft sections that maintains a fixed distance between the distal end face of the distal shaft section and the distal end of the handle as the articulating shaft moves between a straight configuration and an articulated configuration to ensure a consistent firing stroke.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, a firing system disposed in the housing, an actuator coupled with the housing for actuating the firing system, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, the elongated shaft having an outer diameter, and a cap secured to the distal end of the elongated shaft, whereby the cap has a lower distal edge that extends laterally beyond the outer diameter of the elongated shaft. The lower distal edge of the cap has a length that is greater than the outer diameter of the elongated shaft. The cap has a distal end face that slopes upwardly and proximally from the lower distal edge, and the cap has a surgical fastener delivery window formed in the distal end face for dispensing surgical fasteners. The delivery window has a lower end that is spaced from the lower distal edge.

Abstract: A clamping device for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a lower arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, and an upper arm pivotally connected with the lower arm. An actuator is coupled with the upper and lower arms for moving the distal ends of the arms toward one another for closing the clamping device. A surgical fastener dispenser is secured to the distal end of the lower arm. The dispenser includes a cartridge body having a top surface with a surgical fastener dispenser opening. A pad is pivotally connected to the distal end of the upper arm. When the clamping device is closed, a bottom surface of the pad applies a clamping force upon the top surface of the cartridge body for dispensing one of the surgical fasteners at an angle that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, a firing system disposed in the housing and being moveable in distal and proximal directions along a first axis, and an elongated shaft extending from the housing, the elongated shaft having a proximal section and a distal section that is oriented at an angle relative to the proximal section. A plurality of surgical fasteners are disposed in the elongated shaft. The applicator instrument has a handle that extends upwardly from the housing along a second axis that defines an acute angle with the first axis. A trigger is mounted on the handle, and a linkage couples the trigger with the handle and the firing system. When the trigger is squeezed, the linkage guides the trigger along a linear path of movement relative to the handle.

Abstract: A device dispenses surgical fasteners inside a body and generates marks outside the body indicating where the surgical fasteners have been dispensed inside the body. The device includes a first member having a surgical fastener dispenser opening, and a second member coupled with the first member, the second member having a distal end that opposes the surgical fastener dispenser opening. The device includes a marking assembly secured to the distal end of the second member. The marking assembly is moveable away from and toward the surgical fastener dispenser opening. The marking assembly is adapted for generating marks on an external surface that mirror the location of each surgical fastener dispensed from the surgical fastener dispenser opening. The device may include a clamp for compressing tissue between the marking assembly and the surgical fastener dispenser.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, a firing system disposed in the housing, an actuator coupled with the housing for actuating the firing system, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, the elongated shaft having an outer diameter, and a cap secured to the distal end of the elongated shaft, whereby the cap has a lower distal edge that extends laterally beyond the outer diameter of the elongated shaft. The lower distal edge of the cap has a length that is greater than the outer diameter of the elongated shaft. The cap has a distal end face that slopes upwardly and proximally from the lower distal edge, and the cap has a surgical fastener delivery window formed in the distal end face for dispensing surgical fasteners. The delivery window has a lower end that is spaced from the lower distal edge.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, a firing system disposed in the housing and being moveable in distal and proximal directions along a first axis, and an elongated shaft extending from the housing, the elongated shaft having a proximal section and a distal section that is oriented at an angle relative to the proximal section. A plurality of surgical fasteners are disposed in the elongated shaft. The applicator instrument has a handle that extends upwardly from the housing along a second axis that defines an acute angle with the first axis. A trigger is mounted on the handle, and a linkage couples the trigger with the handle and the firing system. When the trigger is squeezed, the linkage guides the trigger along a linear path of movement relative to the handle.

Abstract: A clamping device for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a lower arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, and an upper arm pivotally connected with the lower arm. An actuator is coupled with the upper and lower arms for moving the distal ends of the arms toward one another for closing the clamping device. A surgical fastener dispenser is secured to the distal end of the lower arm. The dispenser includes a cartridge body having a top surface with a surgical fastener dispenser opening. A pad is pivotally connected to the distal end of the upper arm. When the clamping device is closed, a bottom surface of the pad applies a clamping force upon the top surface of the cartridge body for dispensing one of the surgical fasteners at an angle that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A device dispenses surgical fasteners inside a body and generates marks outside the body indicating where the surgical fasteners have been dispensed inside the body. The device includes a first member having a surgical fastener dispenser opening, and a second member coupled with the first member, the second member having a distal end that opposes the surgical fastener dispenser opening. The device includes a marking assembly secured to the distal end of the second member. The marking assembly is moveable away from and toward the surgical fastener dispenser opening. The marking assembly is adapted for generating marks on an external surface that mirror the location of each surgical fastener dispensed from the surgical fastener dispenser opening. The device may include a clamp for compressing tissue between the marking assembly and the surgical fastener dispenser.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing defining a bottom of the applicator instrument, a firing system disposed in the housing and being moveable in distal and proximal directions along a first axis, a handle extending upwardly from the housing along a second axis that defines an acute angle with the first axis, the handle having an upper end that defines a top of the applicator instrument, and a trigger mounted on the handle for actuating the firing system. The applicator instrument includes an elongated shaft extending from the housing, the elongated shaft having a proximal section that extends along the first axis and a distal section that is oriented at an angle relative to the proximal section for extending upwardly toward the top of the application instrument. A distal end cap has a proximally sloping distal face and a dispensing window for dispensing surgical fasteners.