APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A FASTENER TO TISSUE WITH A PAIR OF HOLLOW NEEDLES

摘要

A pair of parallel, hollow needles are provided for receiving a tissue fastener of the type having at least a fastening member with a pair of legs joined by a link. Each needle has an internal passage extending from a fastening member receiving end to a discharge end. Each needle also has a slot extending along its length in communication with the passage and facing the slot of the other needle. A leg of the fastening member is placed in each needle with the fastening member link extending through the needle slots between the needles. The instrument has an anvil for being located on one side of the tissues opposite the needles. The needles are inserted through the tissues towards the anvil. Then the fastening member is pushed through the needles by a drive member so that at least a portion of the fastening member link lies against one side of the tissues and so than at least a portion of each of the fastening member legs is located and secured on the other side of the tissues.