Endoscopic purse string surgical device

Abstract

An endoscopic surgical stapler for applying a suture to tissue including an elongated tubular member, a first jaw positioned at the distal end portion of the tubular member and having a longitudinal axis, and a second jaw disposed in substantially parallel relation to the first jaw at the distal end portion of the tubular member. The second jaw is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis toward the first jaw, while maintaining the substantially parallel relation between the first and second jaws. A stapling assembly is disposed in each of the first and second jaws and configured to apply surgical staples to the tissue such that a suture, in combination with the surgical staples, forms a purse string with the tissue when the surgical stapler is activated.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of forming a purse string suture in tissue, the method comprising:
 positioning tissue between first and second jaw members of an end effector of a surgical instrument with the first and second jaws in a parallel relationship with one another, the end effector including a suture extending between the first and second jaw members distal of the tissue positioned between the first and second jaw members;   clamping the tissue between the first and second jaw members while maintaining the parallel relationship between the first and second jaw members; and   firing the end effector to eject staples from the first jaw member and the second jaw member such that the suture and the staples form a purse string with the tissue.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein clamping the tissue between the first and second jaw members includes activating a cam arm associated with the second jaw member. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein activating the cam arm includes translating a plunger to activate the cam arm. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein clamping the tissue between the first and second jaw members includes moving the second jaw member towards the first jaw member with the first jaw member fixed. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising releasing the suture from the surgical instrument after firing the end effector. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein releasing the suture from the surgical instrument includes engaging a clamp positioned proximal of the end effector to release the suture. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein releasing the suture from the surgical instrument includes removing the suture from a guide of the surgical instrument, the guide disposed on an outer surface of the surgical instrument between the end effector and the clamp. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming a purse string suture in tissue, the method comprising:
 positioning tissue between first and second jaw members of an end effector of a surgical instrument with the first and second jaws in a parallel relationship with one another, the end effector supported by a distal portion of an elongate tubular member and including a suture;   advancing a slider through the elongated tubular member to clamp the tissue between the first and second jaw members while maintaining the parallel relationship between the first and second jaw members; and   continuing to advance the slider to fire the end effector to eject staples from the first jaw member and the second jaw member such that the suture and the staples form a purse string with the tissue.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein positioning the tissue between the first and second jaw members includes positioning a portion of the suture extending between the first and second jaw members distal of the tissue positioned between the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein advancing the slider translates a plunger within the elongate tubular member. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein advancing translating the plunger activates a cam arm to move the second jaw member towards the first jaw member. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising releasing the suture from the surgical instrument after firing the end effector. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein releasing the suture from the surgical instrument includes engaging a clamp positioned proximal of the end effector to release the suture. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein releasing the suture from the surgical instrument includes removing the suture from a guide of the surgical instrument, the guide disposed on an outer surface of the surgical instrument between the end effector and the clamp. 
     
     
         25 . A method of forming a purse string suture in tissue, the method comprising:
 positioning tissue between first and second jaw members of an end effector of a surgical instrument, the end effector supported by a distal portion of an elongate tubular member and including a suture;   advancing a slider through the elongated tubular member to clamp the tissue between the first and second jaw members;   continuing to advance the slider to fire the end effector to eject staples from the first jaw member and the second jaw member such that the suture and the staples form a purse string with the tissue; and   releasing the suture from an outer surface of the elongate tubular member after forming the purse string.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein positioning tissue between the first and second jaw members includes the and second jaws in a parallel relationship with one another. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein advancing the slider includes maintaining a parallel relationship between the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein releasing the suture from the outer surface includes removing the suture from guides disposed along the outer surface of the elongate tubular member. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein releasing the suture from the outer surface includes engaging a clamp disposed on the outer surface of the elongate tubular member proximal of the end effector.