Abstract: A surgical stapling device is provided having a shaft, a surgical staple slidable longitudinally within the shaft, and a staple-firing mechanism for driving the staple towards the forward end of the housing, bending the staple to bring the free ends of the legs towards one another to close the staple, and releasing the closed staple. The device also includes a blood locator tube slidable longitudinally within the shaft between an initial extended position wherein a forward end of the tube projects beyond the forward end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a liquid-carrying vessel in a human or animal, thereby to locate the forward end of the shaft at the puncture site, and a retracted position wherein the tube is retracted into the housing in coordination with the closure of the staple. The tube has a longitudinal slot extending rearwardly from its forward end and the back of the staple is accommodated transversely in the slot.

Abstract: A surgical stapler comprises an elongate housing 10 and a surgical staple 14 slidable longitudinally within the housing towards the free forward end thereof. The back 18 of the staple has a rearward extension 22. An actuator 16 is slidable forwardly within the housing for driving the staple towards the free end of the housing. An upstanding flange 30 on the extension 22 engages a stop 32 within the housing to restrain the back of the staple against forward movement of the actuator bends the staple to bring the free ends of the legs towards one another to close the staple. Further movement of the actuator then ruptures the join between the extension and the back of the staple to release the closed staple.

Abstract: A surgical stapler comprises an elongate housing 10 and a surgical staple 14 slidable longitudinally within the housing towards the free forward end thereof. The back 18 of the staple has a rearward extension 22. An actuator 16 is slidable forwardly within the housing for driving the staple towards the free end of the housing. An upstanding flange 30 on the extension 22 engages a stop 32 within the housing to restrain the back of the staple against forward movement of the actuator bends the staple to bring the free ends of the legs towards one another to close the staple. Further movement of the actuator then ruptures the join between the extension and the back of the staple to release the closed staple.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device is provided having a shaft, a surgical staple slidable longitudinally within the shaft, and a staple-firing mechanism for driving the staple towards the forward end of the housing, bending the staple to bring the free ends of the legs towards one another to close the staple, and releasing the closed staple. The device also includes a blood locator tube slidable longitudinally within the shaft between an initial extended position wherein a forward end of the tube projects beyond the forward end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a liquid-carrying vessel in a human or animal, thereby to locate the forward end of the shaft at the puncture site, and a retracted position wherein the tube is retracted into the housing in coordination with the closure of the staple. The tube has a longitudinal slot extending rearwardly from its forward end and the back of the staple is accommodated transversely in the slot.