Surgical stapler

Abstract

A surgical stapler comprises a hollow shaft 10 and a tube 92 slidable axially within the shaft between a forward position wherein one end 96 of the tube projects beyond a free end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a blood vessel and a rearward position wherein the end of the locator tube is retracted within the shaft. A surgical staple 40 straddles the tube 92 and is slidable thereon forwardly towards an anvil 24 against which the staple may be deformed to staple together the opposite edges of the puncture site. A cam mechanism drives the staple forwardly along the tube 92 into deforming engagement with the anvil and at the same time retracts the tube into the shaft in time to allow the legs of the staple to close onto the puncture site.

1 . A medical device for closing an opening in tissue, comprising:
 a staple including a plurality of tines, wherein said staple is deformable from an initial configuration to a splayed configuration and then a closed configuration;   a cradle that includes a distal stop and a proximal stop proximal to said distal stop extending therefrom;   wherein said cradle holds a portion of said staple between said proximal stop and said distal stop; and wherein said proximal stop and said distal stop are spaced apart from one another a fixed distance substantially equal to the thickness of said portion of said staple held therebetween, such that said portion of said staple substantially contacts both said proximal stop and said distal stop in said initial configuration; and   a housing, wherein said cradle is movable relative to said housing.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said staple includes a tab extending therefrom, and wherein at least one of said proximal stop and said distal stop is shaped to receive said tab. 
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said housing includes a guide therein along which said cradle is movable. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein said guide is a track defined in said housing. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein said guide is substantially linear and substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of said housing. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal attached to the distal end of said housing. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said staple is plastically deformable. 
     
     
         8 . A medical device for closing an opening in tissue, comprising:
 a staple including a plurality of tines extending from a base, wherein said base includes at least two peaks spaced apart from the longitudinal centerline of said staple, and a trough located between said peaks, wherein the longitudinal centerline of said staple passes through said trough;   a cradle that holds at least a part of said staple;   a paddle assembly movable relative to said cradle, said paddle assembly including at least two spaced-apart paddles; and   a driver bifurcated at the distal end thereof into two spaced-apart branches; wherein said driver is movable relative to said cradle and said paddle assembly; and wherein said driver is movable distally such that each said branch contacts and exerts a distal force on a corresponding said peak of said staple.   
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 8 , further comprising a housing within which at least part of said staple, said cradle, said paddle assembly and said driver are located. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 9 , wherein at least one stop is defined in said housing, wherein said stop limits motion of at least one of the group that consists of said staple, said cradle, said paddle assembly and said driver. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 9 , wherein at least one ledge is defined in said housing; wherein said paddle assembly is movable distally along a travel length, and wherein each said ledge supports a corresponding said paddle along less than the entire said travel length. 
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 8 , further comprising an ejection post extending upward from at least one said paddle. 
     
     
         13 . A method for closing an opening in tissue, comprising:
 providing at least one staple having a plurality of tines and a longitudinal centerline, a driver slidable relative to said staple, and a plurality of posts slidable relative to said staple, one said post corresponding to each said tine;   moving said posts proximally relative to said staple;   moving at least one said staple distally until at least one said tine penetrates tissue in proximity to the opening; and   bending at least one said staple to a closed configuration by moving said driver distally relative to said staple.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said staple retains substantially the same shape during said moving. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said moving comprises translating substantially linearly. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said bending at least one said staple to a closed configuration comprises plastically deforming said staple. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising releasing said staple by exerting a force on said staple in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of said moving.