Surgical fastening system and method for using the same

Abstract

A surgical fastening system for attaching one piece of tissue to another piece of tissue. The system comprises a surgical fastener, an installation tool for deploying the surgical fastener in tissue, and a method for using the same.

1 . A dispenser for a surgical fastener, the fastener being adapted for engagement with an installation tool carrier portion, said dispenser comprising:
 a storage compartment for retaining the fastener, said storage compartment being provided with an opening through which said fastener is movable,   wall structure extending from said storage compartment opening to an opening in a dispenser side wall and configured to guide a distal end of said installation tool with said carrier portion therein to said storage compartment, the remainder of said installation tool remaining outside of said dispenser,   whereby said fastener may be engaged by said carrier portion of said installation tool and withdrawn from said dispenser by withdrawal of said installation tool distal end from said dispenser opening.   
     
     
         2 . A dispenser for a fastener comprising a shaft, a bar at a proximal end of said shaft extending outwardly from said shaft, and a fin extending outwardly from said shaft proximate a distal end of said shaft, said fin and said bar being in alignment with each other along a side of said shaft, and a grip portion connected to said shaft by tabs joined to an opposite side of said shaft, said dispenser comprising:
 a housing having disposed therein a chamber for retaining said fastener, and an entry way for receiving an installation tool having a carrier portion thereon adapted to receive and retain said fastener, said carrier portion having cutting means thereon;   said entry way and chamber being configured to guide said installation tool carrier portion cutting means into cutting engagement with said fastener legs to sever said grip portion from said shaft, and to facilitate said carrier portion sliding around and into engagement with said fastener;   whereby upon withdrawal of said installation tool from said housing, said fastener, less said grip portion, is removed from said dispenser and is disposed in said installation tool carrier portion.   
     
     
         3 . A dispenser for a fastener comprising a shaft portion and a grip portion interconnected by integral tabs, said dispenser comprising:
 a housing having a chamber therein for holding said fastener, said chamber including a first chamber portion for holding said fastener shaft portion and a second chamber portion for holding said grip portion, and having an entry way therein for guiding an installation tool into said first chamber portion to surround said fastener shaft portion and for guiding a cutting edge portion of said installation tool into seriatim engagement with said tabs to sever said tabs to disconnect said fastener shaft portion from said grip fastener portion, to permit withdrawal of said shaft portion from said dispenser while leaving said grip portion in said dispenser.   
     
     
         4 . A method for attaching a first piece of tissue to a second piece of tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a surgical fastener comprising:
 a solid shaft of substantially uniform diameter having a distal end and a proximal end; 
 a bar at said proximal end of said shaft, said bar extending outwardly from said shaft; 
 said distal end of said shaft being rounded and devoid of a cutting edge and devoice of a penetration point; and 
 a fin extending outwardly from said shaft proximate said distal end, said fin having a distal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft and a proximal edge inclined outwardly and proximally from said shaft; 
   providing an installation tool for housing said fastener, said installation tool having an open distal end and an open side through which extend said bar and fin of said fastener, said distal end of said fastener being recessed from said cutting edge of said installation tool;   driving said installation tool, with said fastener therein, through said first piece of tissue and into said second piece of tissue until said fastener bar engages a surface of said first piece of tissue; and   withdrawing said installation tool from the tissue, whereupon said fin, engaged with said second piece of tissue, resists proximal movement of said fastener, causing said installation tool to withdraw from said fastener, to leave said fastener lodged in the tissue.