Apparatus for applying surgical fasteners

摘要

An apparatus is provided for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The apparatus includes a staple carrying cartridge having an internal lockout mechanism for preventing operation of the apparatus after the staples have been fired from the cartridge. The lockout mechanism is movable between a first position prior to a staple firing operation wherein a firing mechanism is permitted to enter the staple cartridge and a second position upon retraction of the firing mechanism from the staple cartridge following a staple firing operation wherein the firing mechanism is prevented from entering the staple cartridge.