Surgical stapler

A surgical stapler comprising a shaft, a locator slidable axially of the shaft between a forward position wherein the locator projects beyond a free end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a liquid-carrying vessel in a human or animal, thereby to locate the free end of the shaft at the puncture site, and a rearward position wherein the locator is retracted relative to the shaft, a surgical staple straddling the locator and slidable forwardly thereon, said staple having forwardly pointing legs disposed respectively on opposite sides of the locator, an anvil against which the staple may be deformed to staple together opposite edges of the puncture site, and an actuator for driving the staple forwardly along the locator into deforming engagement with the anvil and for retracting the locator in co-ordination with the movement of the staple such that the locator is withdrawn from between the legs of the staple in time to allow the legs of the staple to staple together opposite edges of the puncture site.