Device for atrial appendage exclusion

Abstract

A surgical applicator for a fastener, the surgical applicator comprising: a handle; a trigger movable relative to the handle between an initial position, an actuated position, and an intermediate position between the initial position and the actuated position; and a lockout mechanism movable relative to the trigger between a locked position and an unlocked position, the lockout mechanism operatively arranged to: lock the trigger in the intermediate position when the trigger is moved from the initial position toward the actuated position; and permit movement of the trigger from the intermediate position toward the initial position or the actuated position when the lockout mechanism is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position.

1 . A surgical applicator for a fastener, the surgical applicator comprising:
 a handle;   a trigger movable relative to the handle between an initial position, an actuated position, and an intermediate position between the initial position and the actuated position; and   a lockout mechanism movable relative to the trigger between a locked position and an unlocked position, the lockout mechanism operatively arranged to:
 lock the trigger in the intermediate position when the trigger is moved from the initial position toward the actuated position; and 
 permit movement of the trigger from the intermediate position toward the initial position or the actuated position when the lockout mechanism is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The surgical applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the lockout mechanism is further operatively arranged to permit movement of the trigger from the initial position to the actuated position when the lockout mechanism is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position prior to movement of the trigger from the initial position. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger is movable relative to the handle from the initial position with application of a compressive force on the trigger in a direction toward the handle. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger has a distal side opposite a proximal side facing the handle, and wherein at least a portion of the lockout mechanism is positioned on the distal side of the trigger. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the lockout mechanism comprises:
 a release button connected to the trigger, the release button movable between a first position and a second position relative to the trigger, and   a trigger stop connected to the handle, the trigger stop movable between a first position and a second position relative to the handle.   
     
     
         6 . The surgical applicator of  claim 4 , wherein the release button is pivotally movable relative to the trigger. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical applicator of  claim 4 , wherein the release button is linearly movable in a direction lateral relative to the trigger. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical applicator of  claim 4 , wherein the release button is biased to the first position by a release button biasing member. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical applicator of  claim 4 , wherein the trigger stop is biased to the first position by a trigger stop biasing member. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical applicator of  claim 4 , wherein movement of the trigger from the initial position toward the actuated position engages the trigger with the trigger stop to automatically lock the trigger in the intermediate position. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical applicator of  claim 4 , wherein movement of the release button from the first position to the second position when the trigger is in the intermediate position permits disengagement of the trigger from the trigger stop. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical applicator of  claim 1 , further comprising a ratcheting mechanism that engages the trigger when the trigger is moved from the intermediate position toward the actuated position to prevent movement of the trigger toward the initial position. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical applicator of  claim 12 , wherein the ratcheting mechanism disengages from the trigger when the trigger is moved to the actuated position. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical applicator of  claim 12 , wherein the ratcheting mechanism comprises a ratchet rod and a ratchet that is engaged with the ratchet rod when the trigger is moved from the intermediate position toward the actuated position. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical applicator of  claim 12 , wherein the ratcheting mechanism is actuated when the trigger is moved from the intermediate position toward the actuated position by a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical applicator of  claim 1 , further comprising a jaw assembly selectively movable between an open position and a closed position via movement of the trigger from the initial position to the actuated position. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical applicator of  claim 16 , wherein the jaw assembly comprises a pair of jaws movably attached to one another, each jaw having a pair of lateral sides with a plurality of lateral slots extending through each lateral side. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical applicator of  claim 17 , wherein an outer surface of at least one of the lateral sides of each jaw has a recess. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical applicator of  claim 18 , wherein the recess receives a cover element that encloses at least a portion of the plurality of lateral slots. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical applicator of  claim 19 , wherein the cover element is adhesively secured in the recess. 
     
     
         21 - 32 . (canceled)