United States Patent [19] [ii] Patent Number: 5,042,707
Taheri [45] Date of Patent: Aug. 27, 1991
[54] INTRAVASCULAR STAPLER, AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME
[76] Inventor: Syde A. Taheri, 268 Dan Troy, Williamsville, N.Y. 14221
[21] Appl. No.: 598,245
[22] Filed: Oct. 16, 1990
[51] Int. Q.5 . A61B 17/00
[52] U.S. CI 606/213; 227/175;
227/178; 227/179; 227/19
[58] Field of Search 227/19, 175, 179, 178;
606/219
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,473,077 9/1984 Nolies et al 227/179
4,477,007 10/1984 Foslien 227/19
4.485,817 12/1984 Swiggett 227/179
4,488,523 12/1984 Shichman 22/179
An articulatable stapler (20) is arranged in the form of an elongated catheter having a plurality of segments (25,26,28) mounted on one end of a catheter main body (24). A stylet (64) is slidably received within the catheter main body and two intermediate segments, and may be selectively moved to articulate the segments such that the most-distal segment is either aligned with, or arranged at a substantial angle with respect to, the catheter main body portion. The most-distal segment (28) carries stapling means (30) by which the improved catheter may cause a staple to be inserted through a graft (89) into the wall of the blood vessel. The improved device also has means for selectively bending a staple (75) so as to prevent unintended separation therefrom.
12 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
