Patent ID: 7344544

Claim:
A system for closing an opening in tissue, comprising: an end effector having a longitudinal axis, said end effector including at least one paddle; a staple having a plurality of tines, wherein said staple is held by said end effector and wherein at least part of at least one said paddle is movable relative to said staple, and wherein said staple is plastically-deformable from a first configuration to a splayed configuration and then to a closed configuration; a driver positioned proximal to said staple, said driver slidable along at least part of at least one said paddle, wherein said driver is configured for engagement with said staple and at least one said paddle; and wherein said driver is movable to exert a force in the distal direction on a proximal surface of said staple to splay said staple from said first configuration to said splayed configuration and close said staple to said closed configuration.