Patent ID: 8690039

Claim:
A surgical fastener applying apparatus, comprising: an elongate body portion having proximal and distal ends; an end effector positioned at the distal end of the elongate body portion; and an introducer member having a proximal end, and a distal end including an elongate profile configured to facilitate atraumatic advancement of the introducer member through tissue, the proximal end of the introducer member including discrete first and second branches configured to receive a portion of the end effector such that the proximal end of the introducer member is releasably connectable to the end effector, the proximal end of the introducer member including attachment structure, the end effector including engagement structure, the attachment structure and the engagement structure corresponding in configuration to facilitate releasable connection of the introducer member to the end effector; wherein the first branch of the introducer member includes a first pivot member, and the second branch of the introducer member includes a second pivot member, the first and second pivor members facilitating detachment of the introducer member from the end effector, the first and second pivot members being positioned distally of the attachment structure such that a force applied to the first and second branches of the introducer member adjacent the first and second pivot members directed radially inward towards the end effector causes portions of the first and second branches positioned proximally of the first and second pivot members to splay radially outward away from the end effector, thereby facilitating release of the attachment structure from the engagement structure, and separation of the introducer member from the end effector.