Stapler apparatus and methods for use

An apparatus for performing a medical procedure, comprising:

• a shaft comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a patient's body, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends;
• first and second jaws on the distal end of the shaft that are movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, thereby directing first and contact surfaces of the first and second jaws away from and towards one another, respectively, the first jaw carrying one or more staples deployable from the first contact surface;
• a handle on the proximal end of the shaft comprising a first actuator for selectively moving the jaws between the open and closed positions, and a second actuator for deploying one or more staples from the first jaw into tissue between the first and second contact surfaces and toward the second jaw to deform the one or more staples;
• an imaging sleeve disposed around the shaft comprising a hub adjacent the proximal end of the shaft and an imager adjacent the distal end of the shaft;
• and
• a display mounted to the hub.

An apparatus for performing a medical procedure, comprising:

• a shaft comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a patient's body, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends;
• first and second jaws on the distal end of the shaft that are movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, thereby directing first and contact surfaces of the first and second jaws away from and towards one another, respectively, the first jaw carrying one or more staples deployable from the first contact surface;
• a grasper comprising a distal end extendable between the first and second jaws, the grasper distal end comprising a pair of grasper elements;
• and
• a handle on the proximal end of the shaft comprising a first actuator for selectively moving the jaws between the open and closed positions, a second actuator for deploying one or more staples from the first jaw into tissue between the first and second contact surfaces and toward the second jaw to deform the one or more staples;
• and a third actuator for manipulating the grasper to grasp tissue with the grasper elements and pull the tissue between the first and second jaws.

A method for performing a surgical procedure within a patient's body, comprising:

• introducing first and second jaws on a distal end of a shaft into a region within the patient's body;
• with the jaws in an open position, placing tissue within the region between contact surfaces of the first and second jaws;
• actuating one or both of the first and second jaws to secure tissue between the contact surfaces;
• deploying one or more staples from the first jaw through the tissue towards the second jaw to deform the one or more staples and staple the tissue;
• activating a Doppler sensor on one of the contact surfaces to detect blood flow in the stapled tissue;
• and
• if blood flow is detected, delivering thermal energy to the stapled tissue to stop blood flow.