Endoscopic purse string surgical device

1. An endoscopic surgical stapler for applying a suture to tissue, the surgical stapler comprising:

an elongated tubular member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;

a first jaw positioned at the distal end portion of the elongated tubular member and having a longitudinal axis;

a second jaw disposed in substantially parallel relation to the first jaw at the distal end portion of the elongated tubular member;

the second jaw movable toward the first jaw in a direction substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, while maintaining the substantially parallel relation between the first and second jaws; and

a stapling assembly 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.

2. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the first jaw has a first length and the second jaw has a second length, where the second length is greater than the first length.

3. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 2 , further comprising a biasing member disposed adjacent a portion of the second jaw that extends beyond the first jaw.

4. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 3 , further comprising a plunger for activating a cam arm associated with the second jaw.

5. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the first jaw is fixed.

6. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a suture retaining member for mounting the suture on an outer surface of the surgical instrument.

7. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism for preventing unintended firing of surgical staples from the surgical stapler.

8. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the locking mechanism is a removable tab that acts to limit longitudinal movement of the plunger in relation to the outer tube.

9. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the locking mechanism is a pivotable catch that is sized and shaped to removably couple with a lock recess to limit longitudinal movement of the plunger in relation to the elongated tubular member.

10. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of guides for releasably retaining a portion of the suture.

11. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the stapling assemblies are anvilless stapling assemblies.

12. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising: a plunger longitudinally movable in relation to the elongated tubular member; and a cam arm positioned to move the second jaw in response to movement of the plunger.

13. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of guides having slots positioned on an outer surface of the elongated tubular member to retain the suture.

14. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 12 , further comprising a spring to bias the plunger in a proximal position relative to the elongated tubular member.

15. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a spring to bias the second jaw away from the first jaw.

16. An endoscopic surgical stapler for applying a suture to tissue comprising:

an elongated tubular member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion:

first and second jaws positioned adjacent the distal end portion of the elongated tubular member, at least the second jaw movable toward the first jaw from a spaced apart position to an approximated position, each of the jaws including a plurality of staples and a portion of a suture; and

an approximation mechanism to move at least the second jaw with respect to the first jaw, the approximation mechanism including a linear slidable member positioned within the elongated tubular member;

wherein the second jaw moves in substantially parallel movement toward the first jaw.

17. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 16 , further comprising a suture retaining member for mounting the suture on the elongated tubular member.

18. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 16 , further comprising an anvilless stapling assembly disposed in each of the first and second jaws for applying a purse string with the tissue, the purse string formed with the plurality of staples and the suture.

19. The surgical stapler as set forth in claim 16 , further comprising a cam arm associated with the second jaw.