Crimping instrument with motion limiting feature

1. An instrument for crimping a sleeve to a surgical suture comprising:

(a) an anvil;

(b) a hammer movable relative to the anvil for crimping a sleeve therebetween:

(c) a pusher for engaging one of the hammer and anvil and relatively moveable for urging the hammer and the anvil together as the pusher moves longitudinally from a first position to a second position, the pusher also comprising a cutting blade for cutting a suture; and

(d) cooperating stops adjacent to the hammer and the anvil for limiting the relative movement of the hammer and the anvil to control the amount of crimp.

2. The instrument of claim 1 in which the cooperating stops prevent further relative movement of the hammer and the anvil after the pusher reaches an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.

3. The instrument of claim 1 in which the blade cuts the suture as the pusher moves between the intermediate position and the second position.

4. The instrument of claim 2 in which the hammer and the anvil comprise a resilient member comprising two opposed legs, the hammer is located near an end of one leg, and the anvil located near the end of die other leg, the member resiliently biasing the hammer and anvil apart in a normal configuration.

5. The instrument of claim 4 in which the pusher engages at least one of the first and second legs and urges them together to bring the hammer and anvil into opposition and to crimp a sleeve disposed therebetween.

6. The instrument of claim 1 in which the blade is effective to cut the suture as the pusher moves between the intermediate position and the second position.

7. The instrument of claim 1 in which the hammer and the anvil comprise a resilient member comprising two opposed legs, the hammer located at an end of one leg, and the anvil located at the end of the other leg, the member resiliently biasing the hammer and anvil apart in a normal configu ration.

8. The instrument of claim 7 in which the pusher engages at least one of the first and second legs and urges them together to bring the hammer and anvil into opposition and to crimp a sleeve disposed therebetween.

9. The instrument of claim 8 in which the blade is effective to cut the suture as the pusher moves between the first position and the second position.

10. The instrument of claim 1 further comprising a second pair of cooperating stops adjacent to the hammer and the anvil, the anvil and hammer being disposed between the first and second pairs of stops.

11. The instrument of claim 10 in which the second pair of cooperating stops engage the suture therebetween.

12. The instrument of claim 7 in which the resilient member comprises an opening in one or the first and second legs for passing a suture therethrough.

13. The instrument of claim 12 in which the cutter is disposed on the opposite side of the opening from the sleeve.

14. The instrument of claim 1 such that the stops are both on one of the anvil or the hammer.

15. The instrument of claim 14 in which the hammer and the anvil comprise a resilient member comprising two opposed legs, the hammer located at an end of one leg, and the anvil located at the end of the other leg, the member resiliently biasing the hammer and anvil apart in a normalt configuration.

16. The instrument of claim 15 in which the pusher engages at least one of the first and second legs and urges them together to bring the hammer and anvil into opposition and to crimp a sleeve disposed therebetween.

17. The instrument of claim 16 in which the pusher engages at least one of the first and second legs and urges them together to bring the hammer and anvil into opposition and to crimp a sleeve disposed therebetween.

18. The instrument of claim 17 in which a blade is effective to cut the suture as the pusher moves between the first position and thesecond position.

19. The instrument of claim 18 in which the resilient ri,ember comprises an opening in one or the first and second legs for passing a suture therethrough.

20. The instrument of claim 19 in which a cutter is disposed on the opposite side of the opening from the sleeve.

21. An instrument for crimping a sleeve to a surgical suture comprising:

(a) an anvil;

(b) a hammer there between;

(c) a pusher having two legs for engaging one of the hammer and the anvil and relatively moveable for urging the hammer and the anvil together as the pusher moves longitudinally from a first position to a second position; and

(d) cooperating stops adjacent to the hammer and the anvil for limiting the relative movement of the hammer and the anvil to control the amount of crimp in which the cooperating stops prevent further relative movement of the hammer and the anvil after the pusher reaches an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.

22. The instrument of claim 21 in which the cooperating stops engage the suture therebetween.

23. The instrument of claim 21 wherein the cooperating stops include one stop is hookshaped.

24. The instrument of claim 21 wherein the cooperating stops include a stop that is a protrusion.

25. The instrument of claim 21 wherein one leg has a sharp cutting edge.

26. The instrument of claim 21 wherein one leg has a blunt portion.

27. The instrument of claim 21 wherein the hammer and anvil together form a resilient ushaped crimper.

28. The instrument of claim 27 wherein the crimper is held in the instrument by a pin.

29. The instrument of claim 21 wherein the anvil further defines a seat for a cutting edge.

30. The instrument of claim 21 comprising a second stop and wherein the hammer flexes to engage the second stop after the first stop is engaged.

31. The instrument of claim 30 in combination with a sleeve wherein the first stop is closer to the sleeve than the second stop.

32. The instrument of claim 30 in combination with a sleeve wherein the second stop is closer to the sleeve then the first stop.