Apparatus and method for applying surgical staples to attach an object to body tissue

Apparatus for endoscopic application of surgical staples adapted to attach an object to body tissue, which comprises:

• a) frame means;
• b) generally elongated endoscopic means connected to said frame means and extending distally therefrom;
• c) cartridge means for storing a plurality of surgical staples, said staples configured and adapted to attach an object to body tissue;
• d) means for individually advancing said staples distally for positioning adjacent the body tissue;
• and
• e) means for closing each staple in a manner at least sufficient to encompass at least a portion of the object and to penetrate the body tissue to attach the portion of the object to the body tissue.

Apparatus for endoscopic application of a surgical staple adapted to attach an object to body tissue, which comprises:

• a) frame means;
• b) generally elongated endoscopic means connected to said frame means and extending distally therefrom;
• c) a cartridge adapted for storing a plurality of surgical staples at the distal end portion, said staples configured and adapted to attach an object to body tissue;
• d) means on said generally elongated endoscopic means for engagably receiving and supporting said cartridge in a manner to advance said staples individually for endoscopic application;
• e) means for individually advancing said staples distally for positioning adjacent the object and the body tissue;
• and
• f) anvil means for closing said staple in a manner to encompass at least a portion of the object and to penetrate the body tissue to attach the portion of the object to the body tissue.

A cartridge for containing a plurality of surgical fasteners for fastening body tissue which comprises:

• a) housing means adapted to support said plurality of fasteners in stacked relation at a generally acute angle with respect to the direction of dispensing movement of said fasteners;
• b) indicator means disposed within said housing means and movable from a first position when said housing means supports a predetermined plurality of said fasteners, to a second position whereby said indicator means provides indication to the user when the last of said fasteners has been dispensed from said housing means;
• and
• c) resilient means to bias said indicator means toward an opening in said housing means to provide visual indication after the last fastener has been fired.

Apparatus for endoscopic application of a surgical staple adapted to attach an object to body tissue, which comprises:

• a) frame means;
• b) generally elongated endoscopic means connected to said frame means and extending distally therefrom;
• c) cartridge means for storing at least one surgical staple at the distal end portion, said staple configured and adapted to attach an object to body tissue;
• d) means for individually advancing said at least one staple distally for positioning adjacent the body tissue;
• e) anvil means for closing said staple in a manner to encompass at least a portion of the object and to penetrate the body tissue to attach the portion of the object to the body tissue;
• and
• f) means dimensioned, positioned and adapted to engage said staple as said staple is advanced from said housing in a manner to prevent said staple from deforming out of the plane of the staple when the staple is deformed to attach said staple to body tissue.

Apparatus for endoscopic application of a surgical staple adapted to attach an object to body tissue, which comprises:

• a) frame means;
• b) generally elongated endoscopic means connected to said frame means and extending distally therefrom;
• c) cartridge means for storing at least one surgical staple at a distal portion, said staple configured and adapted to attach an object to body tissue;
• d) means for individually advancing said at least one staple distally for positioning adjacent the body tissue;
• e) anvil means for closing said staple in a manner to encompass at least a portion of the object and to penetrate the body tissue to attach the portion of the object to the body tissue;
• and
• f) gaseous seal means.

Apparatus for endoscopic application of a surgical staple adapted to attach an object to body tissue, which comprises:

• a) frame means;
• b) generally elongated endoscopic means connected to said frame means and extending distally therefrom;
• c) means for storing at least one surgical staple at the distal end portion, said staple configured and adapted to attach an object to body tissue;
• d) manual means for individually advancing said at least one staple distally for positioning adjacent the body tissue and for providing perceptible indication when the staple being advanced is at a predetermined location visible to the user to thereby facilitate positioning and orientation of said staple with respect to the body tissue;
• and
• e) anvil means for closing said staple in a manner to encompass at least a portion of the object and to penetrate the body tissue to attach the portion of the object to the body tissue.

In combination:

• a) a cannula adapted for insertion into a body cavity, said cannula including valve means for sealing said cannula;
• b) an endoscopic surgical staple applier having:
• i) a frame;
• and
• ii) an endoscopic portion defining a longitudinal axis, and extending distally from said frame, said endoscopic portion being configured and adapted for insertion into said cannula through said valve means in sealing engagement therewith, said endoscopic portion further including a cartridge having a plurality of surgical staples in stacked relation, and means for individually pushing said staples through the distal end thereof whereby staple closing means causes said staples to be closed while attaching an object such as surgical mesh to the body tissue;
• and
• c) seal means positioned and adapted to obstruct passage of gaseous media from the body cavity.

A kit for endoscopic application of a surgical staple adapted to attach surgical mesh to body tissue in hernia repair, which comprises:

• a) surgical mesh;
• b) cannula means;
• and
• c) apparatus for endoscopic application of a surgical staple adapted to attach said surgical mesh to body tissue, including:
• i) frame means;
• and
• ii) generally elongated endoscopic means connected to said frame means and extending distally therefrom and dimensioned and configured for insertion into said cannula means, including:
• 1) a removable and replaceable cartridge for storing a plurality of surgical staples at the distal end portion, said staple configured and adapted to attach objects to body tissue;
• 2) means for individually advancing said at least one staple distally for positioning adjacent said surgical mesh and the body tissue;
• and
• 3) anvil means for closing said staple at least sufficient to encompass at least a portion of said surgical mesh and to penetrate said surgical mesh and the body tissue in a manner to attach the portion of the surgical mesh to the body tissue.

Apparatus for endoscopic application of a surgical staple adapted to attach an object to body tissue, which comprises:

• a) a frame;
• b) an elongated member connected to said frame and extending distally therefrom;
• c) a cartridge mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said elongated member and cooperating with said elongated member for storing at least one surgical staple, said staple configured and adapted to attach an object to body tissue;
• d) a pusher for advancing said at least one staple distally from said cartridge for positioning adjacent the body tissue, said pusher cooperating with said cartridge independent of the pivotal position thereof;
• and
• e) an anvil for closing said staple in a manner to encompass at least a portion of the object and to penetrate the body tissue to attach the portion of the object to the body tissue.

Apparatus for endoscopic application of a surgical staple adapted to attach an object to body tissue, which comprises:

• a) a frame;
• b) an elongated member connected to said frame and extending distally therefrom;
• c) a cartridge cooperating with said elongated member for storing at least one surgical staple, said staple configured and adapted to attach an object to body tissue;
• d) a pusher communicating with said cartridge at for advancing said at least one staple distally for positioning adjacent the body tissue;
• and
• e) an anvil for closing said staple in a manner to encompass at least a portion of the object and to penetrate the body tissue to attach the portion of the object to the body tissue.

Apparatus for endoscopic application of a surgical staple adapted to attach an object to body tissue, which comprises:

• a) a frame;
• b) an elongated member connected to said frame and extending distally therefrom;
• c) a cartridge mounted with respect to said elongated member for storing at least one surgical staple, said staple configured and adapted to attach an object to body tissue;
• d) a pusher which extends through said elongated member and into said cartridge for advancing said at least one staple distally from said cartridge for positioning adjacent the body tissue;
• and
• e) an anvil for closing said staple in a manner to encompass at least a portion of the object and to penetrate the body tissue to attach the portion of the object to the body tissue.

Apparatus for endoscopic application of surgical staples adapted to attach an object to body tissue, which comprises:

• a) frame means;
• and
• b) generally elongated endoscopic means connected to said frame means and extending distally therefrom;
• c) cartridge means for storing a plurality of surgical staples, said staples configured and adapted to attach an object to body tissue;
• d) means for individually advancing said staples distally for positioning adjacent the body tissue;
• e) means for individually advancing said staples distally for positioning adjacent the body tissue;
• f) means for closing each staple in a manner at least sufficient to encompass at least a portion of the object and to penetrate the body tissue to attach the portion of the object to the body tissue;
• and
• g) means for pivotally supporting said cartridge and said staple closing means for pivotal movement with respect to said elongated endoscopic means.