| abstract |
A surgical apparatus (10) is disclosed for attaching adjacent end portions of cutaneous body tissue (28) wherein a pair of opposed jaws (18, 20) have means (12, 14) for moving the jaws (18,20) toward and away from each other. Body tissue engaging means (22, 24, 26) in the form of sharp tip members extend from each jaw (18,20) and toward the other so as to engage the opposed portions of cutaneous tissue (28) when the jaws (18,20) are positioned thereagainst and moved toward each other. The jaws (18,20) and the tips (22,24,26) are arranged to cause the cutaneous tissue (28) to assume an irregular shape at the interface whereby an elongate rod-like member (34), preferably rectangular in cross section, may be directed generally medially of the interface of the tissue (28) to attach the opposed portions to thereby permit healing. The elongate member (34) may have indentations (36) to improve retention within the tissue (28). A tapered distal end (72) of the elongated member (34,70) has a pointed tip (74) to facilitate penetration into the tissue (28). |