Patent ID: 8784447
Filing Date: 2014-07-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical stapler comprising: a shaft; a locator received within the shaft and having a lumen configured to receive a guidewire, the lumen including a fluid outlet port and a guidewire exit port and including a distal opening forming both a distal fluid inlet port and a distal guidewire entry port, the fluid outlet port and guidewire exit port being in fluid communication with the lumen with the fluid outlet port being distal the guidewire exit port, the lumen extending from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal end of the locator, the locator being slidably movable with respect to the shaft between a forward position in which the locator projects beyond a free end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a liquid-carrying vessel and thereby locate the free end of the shaft at the puncture site, and a rearward position in which the locator is retracted relative to the shaft; and a trigger configured to drive a staple through the shaft and simultaneously retract the locator such that the locator is withdrawn from between legs of the staple in time to allow the legs of the staple to staple together opposite edges of the puncture site.