Apparatus and method for surgical fastening

摘要

Apparatus and methods for applying fasteners during endoscopic surgery are provided. The apparatus generally comprises a handle portion, a triggering mechanism and a fastener applicator. One embodiment of the invention forms the fastener around a single focal point on an anvil. Another embodiment vertically stacks the fasteners in a fastener applicator which is readily detachable from the handle portion by virtue of a rotational locking system and which may be replaced with a new fastener applicator having a fresh load of vertically stacked fasteners. The various embodiments may be variously combined together in a single device. The methods generally include the following steps: forming a fastener by placing it over a single focal point anvil and pressing the fastener against the single focal point anvil using a slide.

主权项

1. A method of fastening a surgical fastener in endoscopic surgery, the method comprising the steps of:
a) placing a fastener applicator in close proximity with a surgical target, the fastener applicator including:
a first half-section and a second half-section, the first half-section includes a flat side having a recessed region formed therein, the recessed region being configured and dimensioned to retain a plurality of vertically stacked fasteners therein, the second half-section includes a flat side having a recessed portion formed therein;a fastener positioning spring attached to and flush with the recessed region of the first half-section, wherein the fastener positioning spring is biased to extend beyond the recessed region formed in the flat side of the first half-section; anda stop spring housed within recessed portion of the second half-section; b) triggering the fastener applicator to drive a fastener against an anvil so as to form the fastener, wherein the fastener includes a back having a single bend therein; c) discharging the fastener from the fastener applicator; d) removing the fastener applicator from close proximity with said surgical target; and e) unrestraining the stop spring to allow the stop spring to extend beyond the recessed portion of the second half-section and into the recessed region of the first half-section.