Medical stapling device

Claim 1

In a stapling device for suturing tissues with metal staples including a frame, an anvil mounted on said frame, and means for moving a plurality of open staples along a track and sequentially into engagement with said anvil to clinch the staple engaging the anvil, the improvement wherein said means for moving comprises: a driver mounted on said frame for movement along a predetermined path generally aligned with said track between first and second positions with said driver more closely adjacent said anvil in said second position; a staple engaging member comprising a plurality of spaced lugs adapted to engage staples along said track; and means for mounting said staple engaging member to cause movement of said staple engaging member from an initial position with its lugs spaced from staples along said track toward said track to an engage position with said lugs engaging staples along said track during a first position of movement of said driver from its first toward its second position; to cause movement of said staple engaging member with said driver to advance the staples along the track and engage one of the staples with the anvil to close the staple during a second portion of its movement toward said second position; to cause movement of said lugs away from said track and out of engagement with staples along said track during a first portion of movement of said driver from its second position back toward its first position; and to move the staple engaging member with said driver to its initial position during a second portion of movement of said driver back towards its first position.