Apparatus for applying two-part surgical fasteners

Apparatus for applying at least one row of two-part surgical fasteners to body tissue, each surgical fastener having a fastener portion and a retainer dimensioned and configured to receive the fastener portion into engaged relation therewith, which comprises:

• a) means for releasably holding a plurality of said fastener portions;
• b) means spaced from said fastener holding means for releasably holding a plurality of said retainers in positions opposite the respective fastener portion;
• and
• c) means for sequentially advancing each said fastener portion toward said retainers so as to cause said fastener portion to engage said retainers while fastening body tissue therebetween.

Apparatus for applying at least one row of two-part surgical fasteners to body tissue, each surgical fastener having a pronged fastener portion for piercing body tissue, and an apertured retainer dimensioned and configured for engaged reception of said pronged fastener portion in interference fit therewith for gripping the body tissue therebetween which comprises:

• a) means for holding a plurality of said fastener portions in generally aligned relation;
• b) means spaced from said fastener portion holding means for gripping body tissue therebetween and for releasably holding a plurality of said retainers in generally aligned relation and positioned opposite said fastener portions when the body tissue is positioned therebetween;
• and
• c) means for sequentially advancing said pronged fastener portions toward said aperture retainers to cause said fastener portions to pierce the body tissue and to be received within the apertures of said retainers in engaged interference relation so as to cause said fastener portions and said retainers to be engaged while gripping the body tissue therebetween.

Apparatus for applying at least two rows of two-part surgical fasteners to body tissue and for cutting the body tissue, each said surgical fastener having at least two pronged fastener portion for piercing body tissue, and a retainer member dimensioned and configured to receive said fastener portion in engaged relation such that the fastener portion and the retainer member are respectively positioned on opposite sides of the body tissue, which comprises:

• a) a two part frame having separable sections capable of releasable attachment to each other and each having an elongated finger portion;
• b) a fastener carrying cartridge mounted along one of said finger portions and carrying a plurality of said fastener portions;
• c) a retainer carrying cartridge mounted along said other finger portion opposite said fastener cartridge and carrying a plurality of said retainer members positioned opposite said fastener portions, each said retainer member having apertures dimensioned and positioned for reception of said pronged portions of said fastener portions when said fastener portions are advanced toward said retainer members;
• d) means mounted on said frame for sequentially advancing said fastener portions toward said retainer members while piercing body tissue positioned therebetween to effect application of said two-part fasteners to the body tissue;
• and
• e) means associated with said fastener advancement means to cut body tissue adjacent the location of application of said fasteners.

Method for applying at least one row of two-part surgical fasteners, each surgical fastener having a pronged fastener portion and a retainer, comprising:

• a) holding said fastener portions of said two-part surgical fasteners;
• b) releasably holding a plurality of retainers in positions opposite said fastener portions;
• and
• c) sequentially driving said fastener portions of said two-part fasteners into engagement with their respective opposed retainers.

Method for applying at least one row of two-part surgical fasteners, each surgical fastener having a pronged generally u-shaped fastener portion, and an apertured retainer dimensioned for engaged reception of said fastener portion, comprising:

• a) holding a plurality of said fastener portions of said two-part surgical fasteners;
• b) releasably holding a plurality of said retainers in positions opposite said fastener portions such that the apertures thereof face the pronged portions of said fastener portions;
• and
• c) sequentially driving said fastener portions of said two-part fasteners toward said retainers so as to cause said pronged portions to be engagably received within said apertures of said retainers.

A method for applying at least two pairs of rows of two-part surgical fasteners to body tissue, each surgical fastener including a fastener portion having a U-shaped configuration having a pair of prongs and a mating retainer having a pair of members defining apertures for engaged reception of said prongs, comprising:

• a) holding a plurality of said fastener portions in two pairs of spaced apart generally parallel rows on one part of a two-part apparatus;
• b) releasably holding a plurality of said retainers in two pairs of correspondingly spaced apart generally parallel rows on a second part of said two-part apparatus in a manner such that said apertured members of said retainers face said pairs of prongs of said fastener portions when said two-part apparatus is assembled;
• c) positioning tissue to be fastened between said respective two parts of said apparatus and locking said two parts together;
• d) sequentially driving said fastener portions of said two-part fasteners toward said retainers by advancing fastener driving means sufficient to cause said pronged portions to be driven through the tissue and to be engagably received within said apertures of said retainer members while cutting the tissue generally medially between said rows of pairs of fastener portions, said fastener driving means preventing separation of said half portions of said apparatus during the step of driving said fastener portions;
• and
• e) withdrawing said fastener driving means so as to release said half portions of said apparatus to permit separation thereof for removal of the fastened tissue.