Abstract: A method and apparatus for stapling together adjacent bone tissue, such as a severed sternum, includes a staple applying tool adapted to drive each leg of a two-legged staple through a respective portion of the bone tissue. The tool includes a distal shoe having a staple forming anvil, the shoe being supported on a thin metal web extending from the tool between the bone tissue portions, so that the tool may be disposed at the outer surface of the bone and the anvil may be supported adjacent to the inner surface of the anvil. The tool includes a piston within caliper assembly, the caliper moving to contact the surface of the sternum and lock in place before the staple is advanced by the piston into the sternum. A staple cartridge is removable from the tool, the cartridge including a latch mechanism that prevents discharge of staples therefrom when the cartridge is removed from the tool. The latch mechanism, which is actuated by insertion into the tool, also acts to retain the cartridge in the tool.

Abstract: A tool for storing dispensing, and applying hemostatic clips includes a shell-like housing, and a pair of ring-handle actuating levers extending therefrom. An elongated dispensing and applying portion extends longitudinally from the housing, and includes a jaw strut extending fixedly from the housing with a pair of laterally opposed jaw members pivotally supported on a distal portion thereof. A channel-like jaw housing extends from the housing in longitudinally translatable fashion, and is received about the jaw strut and jaw members. A magazine member secured to the jaw strut stores a plurality of hemostatic clips in serial, end to end fashion, and is disposed to deliver the distal-most clip between the open jaw members. A feeder slide adjacent to the jaw strut is resiliently biased to urge the clip toward the distal end of the jaw members. Within the housing a shuttle block is disposed for longitudinal translation by squeezing of the levers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing, dispensing, and applying surgical staples includes a pistol-like tool having a handle portion with a manually movable trigger lever, and a rotatable barrel portion with a staple track for storing staples in parallel, stacked, column fashion, the axis of the column extending generally colinearly with the barrel axis. The staples are urged distally in the track, and the distal track portion is curved out of axial alignment so that the distal staples are urged into points-first alignment. A form tool is slidably disposed in the barrel portion and adapted to advance and urge the distal-most staple against an anvil tool to crimp the staple. The form tool includes a drag spring which engages the distal-most staple in the staple track as the form tool retracts after a crimping cycle, pulling the distal-most staple from the track into a dispensing position for the next dispensing cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and automatically dispensing and applying surgical staples in serial fashion includes a pistol-like tool having means for storing a large plurality of staples in parallel, stacked column fashion aligned along the longitudinal (barrel) axis of the tool. A form tool and an anvil tool extend longitudinally parallel to the axis, and are advanced in synchronism by actuation of a trigger lever. The form tool includes a pair of arms which impinge upon and rotate the legs of the staple about the web portion thereof to dispose the staple in a points-first dispensing orientation. The form tool advances the staple to the distal dispensing end of the tool, where it drives the staple into a portion of the anvil and crimps the staple thereabout. Release of the trigger causes an elevator member to separate the next distal staple inthe column from its column alignment into postion to be engaged by the anvil tool and form tool at the start of the subsequent dispensing cycle.

Abstract: A tool for storing dispensing, and applying hemostatic clips includes a shell-like housing, and a pair of ring-handle actuating levers extending therefrom. An elongated dispensing and applying portion extends longitudinally from the housing, and includes a jaw strut extending fixedly from the housing with a pair of laterally opposed jaw members pivotally supported on a distal portion thereof. A channel-like jaw housing extends from the housing in longitudinally translatable fashion, and is received about the jaw strut and jaw members. A magazine member secured to the jaw strut stores a plurality of hemostatic clips in serial, end to end fashion, and is disposed to deliver the distal-most clip between the open jaw members. A feeder slide adjacent to the jaw strut is resiliently biased to urge the clip toward the distal end of the jaw members. Within the housing a shuttle block is disposed for longitudinal translation by squeezing of the levers.

Abstract: A device for applying a plurality of hemoclips to blood vessels and the like includes a longitudinally disposed frame having a pistol grip and an opposed trigger lever extending from the proximal end thereof. A narrow, internal passageway extends the length of the frame, from a loading opening at the proximal end to a fixed lower jaw at the distal end of the frame. A plurality of U-shaped hemoclips is disposed in the passageway with the points thereof extending toward the distal jaw portion. An upper jaw extends from a clevis member which straddles the frame and is pivotally joined to an upper medial portion thereof. The trigger lever is pivotable to cause the clevis member to pivot upwardly and the upper jaw to close upon the lower jaw to crush a hemoclip disposed therebetween.