Disclosed is a
wound closure device and method for using the same. The
wound closure device includes a
handle, a body portion extending distally from the
handle, a stapling mechanism extending distally from the body portion and a mechanism for supplying electrical energy from an RF power supply to a
fastener (e.g. staple) which is associated with the stapling mechanism. In a representative embodiment, the stapling mechanism includes an inner rod member disposed within an elongated outer sleeve and slidably movable therein. The rod member has an enlarged tip for deploying the
fastener that is supported adjacent to the tip into
body tissue. The
wound closure device further includes an
actuator mechanism associated with the
handle and body portion and configured to facilitate relative movement of the inner rod and the outer sleeve so as to deploy the
fastener into
body tissue. In alternative embodiments, a second pole of the RF power supply is connected to a conductive ring associated with a vascular introducer.