Patent ID: 7909219
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A tissue fastening system comprising: a shaft having a proximal-end handle and a distal end; a staple device including a staple member having a staple housing and a staple holder that is independently moveable with respect to the staple housing, an anvil member having an anvil housing and an anvil carried on the anvil housing, a drive assembly including a drive member operatively connected to the staple holder for movement within the staple housing from a retracted position to an extended position, and an arm assembly operatively coupled to the staple and anvil members, such that movement of the drive member from its retracted to its extended position is effective to (i) move the staple holder with respect to the staple housing toward the anvil, and (ii) move the anvil member toward the staple member, the distal end of the shaft being operatively coupled to the staple member; a flexible covering at least partially enclosing the staple device to define a vacuum chamber between the staple holder and the anvil, wherein the flexible covering includes an opening positionable in contact with tissue to be fastened; and a vacuum port coupled to the vacuum chamber such that application of vacuum pressure to the vacuum port draws tissue through the opening into the vacuum chamber.