Methods and apparatus for delivering staples to a target tissue

摘要

A device for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue includes a pilot member and a staple push rod. In some embodiments, the pilot member has a distal end and at least a pair of prongs extending from the distal end. The prongs are configured to form pilot holes when the distal end of the pilot member is pressed against the target tissue. The staple push rod is disposed within at least a portion of the pilot member and slidable relative thereto. The staple push rod includes at least a pair of stakes. Each stake is dimensioned to engage a surface of a staple to apply pushing forces thereto. Each stake is positioned relative to a prong along an inner surface of the pilot member so that the stakes advance into the pilot holes when the stakes are moved in a distal direction. Methods for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue are also disclosed.

主权项

1. A device for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue, comprising:
a pilot member having a distal end and at least a pair of prongs extending from the distal end of the pilot member so that the prongs form pilot holes when the distal end of the pilot member is pressed against the target tissue; a staple push rod disposed within at least a portion of the pilot member and slidable relative thereto, the staple push rod including at least a pair of stakes, each stake dimensioned to engage a surface of a staple to apply pushing forces thereto, wherein each stake is positioned relative to a prong along an inner surface of the pilot member so that the stakes advance into the pilot holes when the stakes are moved in a distal direction; and a staple carried by the staple push rod, the staple comprising a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end, and a second arm having a proximal end and a distal end with a bridge extending from the proximal end of the first arm to the proximal end of the second arm, a first fluke of the staple having a proximal end abutting the distal end of the first arm, and a second fluke of the staple having a proximal end abutting the distal end of the second arm, wherein each stake of the staple push rod has a distal portion and a proximal portion, each distal portion extending into a passage defined by the first or second fluke, each proximal portion having a width larger than a width of each distal portion so that a shoulder of each proximal portion contacts the passage defined by the first or second fluke to apply pushing forces thereto, the pushing forces placing the first arm, the second arm, and the bridge in tension when the flukes are pushed into the target tissue, wherein the proximal portions of the stakes are biased to diverge from one another so that the pushing force applied to each fluke has a laterally outward component.