Apparatus and method for applying surgical staples to body tissue

Apparatus for applying at least one surgical staple to body tissue, which comprises:

• a) a frame;
• b) a tubular member connected to said frame and extending distally therefrom, said tubular member defining a longitudinal axis;
• c) at least one surgical staple;
• d) staple advancing mechanism operable for individually advancing said at least one surgical staple distally at least when said cartridge is generally in alignment with said longitudinal axis for positioning adjacent the body tissue;
• e) an anvil for closing the at least one surgical staple;
• f) a rotatable member rotatable about an axis generally transverse to said longitudinal axis and engageable with at least two pushrods and cooperative with said tubular member and having at least one generally V-shaped slot;
• and
• g) a control member directly engageable with said rotatable member and manually movable longitudinally in proximal and distal directions, said control member including a generally elongated member extending generally traverse to said longitudinal axis and received by said generally V-shaped slot for engagement therewith, whereby proximal and distal movement of said control member causes rotation of said rotatable member about said generally transverse axis to thereby move said push rods for pivoting the distal end portion.

Apparatus for application of a surgical staple to body tissue, which comprises:

• a) a handle;
• b) a tubular member extending distally from said handle;
• c) a cartridge for storing at least one surgical staple;
• d) a pusher for advancing said at least one surgical staple distally for application to body tissue;
• e) an anvil for closing said at least one surgical staple;
• and
• f) a rotatable disc-like member positioned for rotation and selective engagement with at least two pushrods adapted for articulating a distal portion of said tubular member to selected angles relative to a longitudinal axis of said generally tubular member, said rotatable disc-like member defining at least one generally V-shaped slot;
• and
• g) a control member extending about a proximal portion of said tubuler member and movable in proximal and distal directions and having a generally elongated member extending generally transverse to said longitudinal axis, said generally elongated member being directly engagable with said generally V-shaped slot of said rotatable disc-like member to cause rotation of said disc-like member when said control member is moved proximally and distally, whereby said pushrods are engaged and moved so as to effect activation of said distal portion.