Patent ID: 7744624

Claim:
An apparatus for applying sealant to a target tissue of a surgical site, comprising: a handle; an end effector in operative association with the handle, the end effector including a first jaw member, a second jaw member and a sealant-applying structure, the first jaw member and the second jaw member each having a generally arcuate shape, wherein the sealant-applying structure is configured for applying sealant to the target tissue; at least one conduit for conveying sealant to the sealant-applying structure in the end effector; and wherein the arcuate shape of the first jaw member and the arcuate shape of the second jaw member define a transverse opening having a center for encircling the target tissue when the jaw members are in an approximated position, the sealant-applying structure including a first aperture on the first jaw member and a second aperture on the second jaw member, the first aperture and the second aperture being arranged for directing the sealant toward the center of the transverse opening; further comprising side walls for confining sealant, each side wall including a first end operatively connected to the jaw member and a second end extending from the jaw member to come into contact with tissue when the end effector is in a closed condition; wherein at least one of the jaw members comprises side walls for confining sealant, each side wall includes a first end operatively connected to the jaw member and a second end extending from the jaw member to come into contact with tissue when the end effector is in a closed condition.