Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue along an arcuate path. Each surgical fastener may be in the form of a two-part fastener having a pronged fastener portion for piercing body tissue, and an apertured retainer dimensioned and configured for engaged reception of the pronged fastener portion in interference fit therewith for gripping the body tissue therebetween. Alternatively, the fasteners may be in the form of deformable staples. The apparatus preferably includes arcuately shaped means for holding a plurality of the fastener portions in generally aligned relation, correspondingly arcuately shaped means spaced from the fastener portion holding means for gripping body tissue therebetween and for releasably holding a plurality of the retainers in generally aligned relation and positioned opposite the fasteners when the body tissue is positioned therebetween. Means is provided for sequentially advancing the pronged fastener portions toward the apertured retainers to cause the fastener portions to pierce the body tissue and to be received within the apertures of the retainers in engaged interference relation so as to cause the fastener portions and the retainers to be engaged while gripping the body tissue therebetween. A knife may be provided to cut the body tissue adjacent the fasteners as the fasteners are applied. A method for applying fasteners to body tissue on the apparatus of the invention along an arcuate path is also disclosed.

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First Claim