A surgical stapler for securing a
prosthetic heart valve within a patient generally includes a first cylindrical portion for carrying at least one staple
assembly on a distal end thereof; a second cylindrical portion positioned concentrically about the first cylindrical portion and having a camming arm on a distal end thereof, the camming arm configured to
cam the at least one staple
assembly radially outward and drive the at least one staple
assembly distally such that a first leg of the at least one staple assembly penetrates a
cuff of the
prosthetic heart valve and a second leg of the at least one staple assembly pierces a portion of heart tissue surrounding the
prosthetic heart valve, as the second cylindrical portion is moved distally relative to the first cylindrical portion; and a third cylindrical portion positioned concentrically about the second cylindrical portion and having an anvil
flange on a distal end thereof, the anvil
flange configured to
crimp the second leg of the at least one staple assembly toward the first leg of the at least one staple assembly to secure the prosthetic
heart valve to the surrounding heart tissue as the third cylindrical portion is moved relative to the second cylindrical portion. A method of installing a
heart valve within a patient which includes the steps of accessing
a site within a heart from which a natural
heart valve has been removed; lowering a prosthetic heart valve into position within the site in the heart; positioning a surgical stapler having at least one staple assembly removably held on a distal end thereof adjacent the prosthetic heart valve within the site in the heart; driving a first leg of the at least one staple assembly through a
peripheral cuff of the prosthetic heart valve; and crimping a second leg of the at least one staple assembly in a direction toward the first leg such that the second leg pierces a portion of heart tissue surrounding the prosthetic heart valve, thereby securing the prosthetic heart valve to the surrounding heart tissue.