Apparatus for endoscopically applying staples individually to body tissue

Apparatus for endoscopic application of a surgical staple to body tissue comprising:

• a frame member;
• a trigger member pivotally connected to said frame member;
• a generally elongated endoscopic housing member connected to said frame member and extending distally therefrom;
• a cartridge pivotable with respect to the distal end of said endoscopic housing member and adapted to hold at least one surgical staple;
• an anvil operatively associated with the housing member and positioned adjacent the cartridge for forming an individual surgical staple;
• means for providing relative motion between said cartridge and said anvil to clamp body tissue between said cartridge and said anvil;
• a staple firing mechanism cooperating with said trigger for individually advancing said surgical staple into said body tissue and against said anvil;
• means connected to said staple firing mechanism for preventing incomplete staple firing;
• a rotation control member operatively associated with a proximal portion of the endoscopic housing member for rotating said endoscopic housing member about a longitudinal axis extending therethrough;
• and
• a gaseous seal positioned within said endoscopic member.

Apparatus for endoscopic application of a surgical staple to body tissue comprising:

• a frame;
• a trigger member pivotally connected to said frame means;
• a generally elongated endoscopic housing member connected to said frame and extending distally therefrom;
• a cartridge cooperating with said endoscopic housing member for storing at least one surgical staple;
• an anvil operatively associated with said cartridge and positioned adjacent thereto for closing a surgical staple;
• a staple firing mechanism including a staple pusher cooperating with said trigger member which when actuated individually advances said surgical staple into said body tissue and against said anvil;
• means for providing relative motion between said cartridge and said anvil and for actuating said staple firing mechanism wherein in a first movement of said trigger member said cartridge moves relative to said anvil to a clamped position in which tissue is clamped between said cartridge and said anvil, and in a second subsequent movement of said trigger member said staple pusher is actuated;
• and
• a spring biased locking pin disposed within said cartridge and configured to maintain said cartridge and said anvil in said clamped position during said second movement of said trigger member.