Abstract: A generally U-shaped surgical staple comprises a base 10 and a pair of generally “L”-shaped legs 12 extending substantially perpendicularly from opposite ends of the base respectively. The legs 12 in use of the staple are bent through approximately 90° relative to the base. To effect a greater compression of the stapled tissue the legs include a penetrative portion 16 adjacent the tip and a compressive structure 30 which, due to its increased height relative to that of the penetrative portion, spreads the compressive forces of the staple further along the length of the incision being closed. The compressive portion also provides a depth stop to avoid the tip penetrating too deeply into the tissue in which it is deployed.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a vascular anastomosis procedure comprises an elongated body 10 and a needle 12 having a hook 12b for penetrating and everting the edges 56, 58 of tissue to be joined. The needle 12 is slidable in the body 10 between an extended position as shown and a retracted position wherein the hook is engaged with the end 10a of the body. A stapling mechanism includes a slidable pusher 40 for driving a staple 36 longitudinally of the body 10 against the inside of the hook 12b for deformation of the staple into penetrating engagement with the everted tissue edges 56, 58.

Abstract: A device for locating a puncture hole in a liquid-carrying vessel such as a blood vessel comprises a hollow tube 92 having front and rear openings respectively at opposite ends of the tube to allow the tube to slide along a guidewire passing through the tube. The front opening 96 comprises a first portion 96A for slidably accommodating the guidewire and a second portion 96B to allow liquid from the vessel to flow back through the tube. The device is configured, e.g. by a constriction 96C, such that a guidewire at least above a certain diameter in the first portion 96A of the front opening is restrained against moving into the second portion 96B. Alternatively, the first and second portions 96A, 96B of the front opening may be independent of one another.

Abstract: A surgical stapler comprises a hollow shaft 10 and a tube 92 slidable axially within the shaft between a forward position wherein one end 96 of the tube projects beyond a free end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a blood vessel and a rearward position wherein the end of the locator tube is retracted within the shaft. A surgical staple 40 straddles the tube 92 and is slidable thereon forwardly towards an anvil 24 against which the staple may be deformed to staple together the opposite edges of the puncture site. A cam mechanism drives the staple forwardly along the tube 92 into deforming engagement with the anvil and at the same time retracts the tube into the shaft in time to allow the legs of the staple to close onto the puncture site.

Abstract: A surgical staple is provided having a base portion and a respective leg extending from each end of the base portion and terminating at a free end. The base portion is deformable to bring the free ends of the legs together to penetrate a liquid-carrying vessel at the site of a puncture and hold the opposite edges of the puncture together. The base portion and legs lie in substantially a common plane except for a center portion (40C) of the base portion which is deformed in a loop in a direction perpendicular to the common plane. The center portion of the staple allows the staple to straddle a blood locator tube projecting from the end of a stapler, so that the staple can be closed at the center of a puncture wound in which the tube is located. A method for stapling is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical stapler comprises a hollow shaft 10 and a tube 92 slidable axially within the shaft between a forward position wherein one end 96 of the tube projects beyond a free end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a blood vessel and a rearward position wherein the end of the locator tube is retracted within the shaft. A surgical staple 40 straddles the tube 92 and is slidable thereon forwardly towards an anvil 24 against which the staple may be deformed to staple together the opposite edges of the puncture site. A cam mechanism drives the staple forwardly along the tube 92 into deforming engagement with the anvil and at the same time retracts the tube into the shaft in time to allow the legs of the staple to close onto the puncture site.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for performing a vascular anastomosis procedure comprises an elongated body 10 and a needle 12 having a hook 12b for penetrating and everting the edges 56, 58 of tissue to be joined. The needle 12 is slidable in the body 10 between an extended position as shown and a retracted position wherein the hook is engaged with the end 10a of the body. A stapling mechanism includes a slidable pusher 40 for driving a staple 36 longitudinally of the body 10 against the inside of the hook 12b for deformation of the staple into penetrating engagement with the everted tissue edges 56, 58.

Abstract: A surgical stapler comprises a hollow shaft 10 and a tube 92 slidable axially within the shaft between a forward position wherein one end 96 of the tube projects beyond a free end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a blood vessel and a rearward position wherein the end of the locator tube is retracted within the shaft. A surgical staple 40 straddles the tube 92 and is slidable thereon forwardly towards an anvil 24 against which the staple may be deformed to staple together the opposite edges of the puncture site. A cam mechanism drives the staple forwardly along the tube 92 into deforming engagement with the anvil and at the same time retracts the tube into the shaft in time to allow the legs of the staple to close onto the puncture site.

Abstract: A surgical staple (40) comprises a base portion (40A) and a respective leg (40B) extending from each end of the base portion and terminating at a free end (40D), the base portion being deformable to bring the free ends of the legs together to penetrate a liquid-carrying vessel at the site of a puncture and hold the opposite edges of the puncture together. The base portion and legs lie in substantially a common plane except for a center portion (40C) of the base portion which is deformed in a loop in a direction perpendicular to the common plane. The center portion of the staple allows the staple to straddle a blood locator tube projecting from the end of a stapler, so that the staple can be closed at the center of a puncture wound in which the tube is located.

Abstract: A device for locating a puncture hole in a liquid-carrying vessel such as a blood vessel comprises a hollow tube 92 having front and rear openings respectively at opposite ends of the tube to allow the tube to slide along a guidewire passing through the tube. The front opening 96 comprises a first portion 96A for slidably accommodating the guidewire and a second portion 96B to allow liquid from the vessel to flow back through the tube. The device is configured, e.g. by a constriction 96C, such that a guidewire at least above a certain diameter in the first portion 96A of the front opening is restrained against moving into the second portion 96B. Alternatively, the first and second portions 96A, 96B of the front opening may be independent of one another.