Patent ID: 8052699

Claim:
A viscerotomy closure device comprising: a mesh having a center; a mesh hole, wherein said center of said mesh defines said mesh hole; and a loop of suture having a knot, wherein said loop of suture is attached to said mesh; an end-to-end anastomosis stapler having a staple carrying member, a plurality of staple receiving slots defined by said staple carrying member, a plurality of staples enclosed by said staple receiving slots, and a protruding rod having opposing ends with one end inserted into said staple carrying member, wherein said opposing end of said protruding rod opposite said staple carrying member is inserted through said mesh hole so that said mesh covers at least a portion of said staple receiving holes; an anvil having a tip, a base, and an exterior, wherein said base is removably attached to said opposing end of said protruding rod opposite said staple carrying member; and an augur-shaped blade attached to said exterior of said anvil and extending from said tip to said base.