Abstract: The applicator is provided with a pair of handles and an anvil carrier against which rows of staples can be ejected. The applicator includes support elements for supporting the stapler cartridges and pushers for pushing the staples from the cartridges when the handles are squeezed together. Each cartridge carries a section of a string in the plane of the staples so that after ejection of the staples, the string is fixed about the periphery of an aperture in the tissue for use as a purse string in an end-to-end anastomosis procedure.

Abstract: Surgical fastener applying apparatus having an articulated shaft assembly intermediate a proximal actuator assembly and a distal fastener applying assembly. The rotational axis of the articulation is transverse to the proximal-distal axis of the shaft assembly. The apparatus is fully operational at any rotational position of the articulation. A detent mechanism may be included to releasably hold the articulation in any of its rotational positions. A locking mechanism may also be provided for locking the articulation in any of its rotational positions. The shaft assembly may also include a second articulation whose rotational axis is the proximal-distal axis. The apparatus is fully operational at any rotational position of the second articulation, and detent and locking mechanisms may also be associated with the second articulation.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a new charge of staples to a staple cartridge in surgical fastening instruments. A transfer magazine, housing the new charge of staples, is adapted to be positioned in alignment with the staple cartridge contained in the instrument. Upon closure of the instrument, a new charge of staples is transferred from the magazine to the staple cartridge thereby allowing for further usage of the instrument.

Abstract: A surgical fastener comprising a fastener member and a retainer member is disclosed. The fastener provides improved hemostasis and, desirably, is of a resinous material that is absorbable in the body. The fastener member has prongs which extend substantially perpendicularly from a base to interlock with apertures in the retainer member. The base and the retainer member are substantially equal in length, and each prong extends from a point on the base spaced inward from its respective end of the base. The fasteners are preferably applied by apparatus including a pusher associated with each fastener member and having a particular structural relationship to the associated fastener member.

Abstract: Surgical stapler apparatus for forming an array of surgical fasteners in body tissue includes an anvil assembly against which the fasteners are formed and a fastener holder pivotally mounted adjacent one end of the anvil assembly, a spacer member at the other end so constructed to displace tissue that would otherwise obstruct the spacer member from properly positioning the fastener holder relative to the anvil assembly to ensure proper fastener formation, and a knife assembly to cut the tissue between the rows of formed fasteners.

Abstract: An improved anvil for crimping or clinching generally U-shaped surgical staples in a surgical stapler includes a main channel transverse to the bases of the staples, the bottom surface of the main channel being the staple crimping or clinching surface and having a plurality of closely spaced grooves or secondary channels transverse to the longitudinal axis of the main channel for allowing staples to be crimped or clinched at substantially any location along the length of the main channel.

Abstract: Surgical clip applying apparatus in which clips are delivered to a pair of jaws one at a time for closure around body tissue. The squeezing together of a pair of ring handles causes the jaws to move distally relative to the apparatus. The jaws contact a pair of inclined surfaces on the shaft of the apparatus and are thereby forced together, causing the distal-most clip in a linear array to be closed around body tissue. Release of the handles returns the jaws to the original positions so that another clip closing cycle can be initiated. An escapement mechanism interacts with the jaws to ensure that only one clip at a time from the linear array is delivered to the jaws. A clutch assembly ensures that each step in the clip closing and return cycle is completed in the proper sequence.

Abstract: A two-art surgical fastener is provided for joining and approximating the edges of a wound in body tissue such as fascia tissue. The fastener, which can be made of an absorbable resinous material, has a fastener member and a retainer member. The fastener member has four prongs which mate with four openings in the retaining member. The two end prongs are tension legs, holding the fastener together. The two inner prongs are bent toward each other by camming surfaces in the corresponding openings in the retainer, approximating the edges of the wound.