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A surgical stapler comprises a hollow shaft 10 and a tube 92 slidable axially within the shaft between a forward position wherein one end 96 of the tube projects beyond a free end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a blood vessel and a rearward position wherein the end of the locator tube is r

A surgical stapler comprises a hollow shaft 10 and a tube 92 slidable axially within the shaft between a forward position wherein one end 96 of the tube projects beyond a free end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a blood vessel and a rearward position wherein the end of the locator tube is retracted within the shaft. A surgical staple 40 straddles the tube 92 and is slidable thereon forwardly towards an anvil 24 against which the staple may be deformed to staple together the opposite edges of the puncture site. A cam mechanism drives the staple forwardly along the tube 92 into deforming engagement with the anvil and at the same time retracts the tube into the shaft in time to allow the legs of the staple to close onto the puncture site.

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1. A surgical stapler comprising:a shaft; a locator slidably movable with respect to the shaft between a forward position in which the locator projects beyond a free end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a liquid-carrying vessel and thereby locate the free end of the shaft at the puncture sit

1. A surgical stapler comprising:a shaft; a locator slidably movable with respect to the shaft between a forward position in which the locator projects beyond a free end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a liquid-carrying vessel and thereby locate the free end of the shaft at the puncture site, and a rearward position in which the locator is retracted relative to the shaft; and an actuator for driving a staple through the shaft and for simultaneously retracting the locator such that the locator is withdrawn from between legs of the staple in time to allow the legs of the staple to staple together opposite edges of the puncture site. 2. The surgical stapler of claim 1, further comprising an anvil against which a staple may be deformed to staple together opposite edges of a puncture site.3. The surgical stapler of claim 2, wherein the anvil is tiltable relative to an axis of the shaft between a first position in which the anvil is in a position for engagement by a staple, and a second position in which the anvil is clear of the staple.4. The surgical stapler of claim 3, wherein the actuator further includes a tilting mechanism for tilting the anvil in coordination with the movement of the locator and staple such that the anvil is tilted from the first position to the second position after closure of the staple onto a puncture site.5. The surgical stapler of claim 4, wherein the tilting mechanism for tilting the anvil comprises an elongated member slidable axially within the shaft.6. The surgical stapler of claim 1, further comprising a staple having forwardly pointing legs disposed respectively on opposite sides of the locator.7. The surgical stapler of claim 6, wherein the actuator drives the staple via an elongated former slidable axially of the shaft.8. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the locator comprises a hollow tube having an opening at the forward end to enable liquid flow to be sensed within a liquid-carrying vessel to thereby locate the puncture site in the vessel.9. The surgical stapler of claim 8, wherein the locator tube is adapted to slidably receive a guidewire.10. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the locator comprises a hollow tube having an opening at the forward end to enable a radiopaque liquid to be injected through the tube to thereby locate the puncture site in the vessel by fluoroscopy.11. A surgical instrument for closing a puncture in a liquid-carrying vessel, comprising:a shaft; a locator slidably movable with respect to the shaft between a forward position in which the locator projects beyond a free end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a liquid-carrying vessel, and a rearward position in which the locator is retracted relative to the shaft; and an actuator for driving a closure device toward the puncture site and for simultaneously retracting the locator such that the locator is withdrawn from the closure device to allow the closure device to close the puncture. 12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, further comprising a closure device disposed around the locator and having at least two tissue-penetrating legs formed thereon.13. The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the at least two tissue-penetrating legs of the closure device are movable between a first, pre-deployed position, wherein the legs are substantially parallel to one another, and a second, deployed position wherein the legs extend toward one another.14. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the closure device is a staple.15. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the closure device includes at least two legs that extend forwardly on opposite sides of the locator before the locator is retracted.16. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the locator comprises a hollow tube having an opening at a forward end and an open at a rearward.17. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the locator comprises a hollow tube having an opening at the forward end to enable liquid flow to be sensed within a liquid-carrying vessel to thereby locate the puncture site in the vessel.18. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the locator comprises a hollow tube having an opening at the forward end to enable a radiopaque liquid to be injected through the tube to thereby locate the puncture site in the vessel by fluoroscopy.19. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the locator is adapted to slidably receive a guidewire.20. A surgical instrument for closing a puncture in a liquid-carrying vessel, comprising:a shaft having a tube slidably disposed therein, the tube being adapted to extend forward of the shaft to be positioned through a puncture in a liquid-carrying vessel; and an actuator mechanism adapted to simultaneously retract the tube from the puncture in the liquid-carrying vessel while delivering a closure device to close the puncture. 21. The surgical instrument of claim 20, further comprising a closure device disposed around the tube and having at least two tissue-penetrating legs formed thereon.22. The surgical instrument of claim 21, wherein the at least two tissue-penetrating legs of the closure device are movable between a first, pre-deployed position, wherein the legs are substantially parallel to one another, and a second, deployed position wherein the legs extend toward one another.23. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the closure device is a staple.24. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the closure device includes at least two legs that extend forwardly on opposite sides of the tube before the tube is retracted.25. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the tube comprises a hollow tube having an opening at the forward end to enable liquid flow to be sensed within a liquid-carrying vessel to thereby locate the puncture site in the vessel.26. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the locator comprises a hollow tube having an opening at the forward end to enable a radiopaque liquid to be injected through the tube to thereby locate the puncture site in the vessel by fluoroscopy.27. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the tube is adapted to slidably receive a guidewire.28. A method for closing a puncture in a liquid-carrying vessel, comprising:advancing a tube through a puncture in a liquid-carrying vessel; positioning a shaft slidably disposed around the tube adjacent the puncture in the liquid-carrying vessel; delivering a closure mechanism along the tube to the puncture in the liquid-carrying vessel; and activating an actuator mechanism effective to simultaneously separate the tube from the closure mechanism to allow the closure mechanism to close the puncture in the liquid-carrying vessel. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the closure mechanism includes at least two tissue-penetrating legs formed thereon.30. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least two tissue-penetrating legs of the closure mechanism are movable between a first, pre-deployed position, wherein the legs are substantially parallel to one another, and a second, deployed position wherein the legs extend toward one another.31. The method of claim 28, wherein the closure mechanism is a staple.32. The method of claim 28, wherein the closure mechanism includes at least two legs that extend forwardly on opposite sides of the tube before the tube is retracted.33. The method of claim 28, wherein the tube comprises a hollow tube having an opening at a forward end, and wherein the step of advancing the tube through the puncture in the liquid-carrying vessel further comprises locating the puncture site in the vessel by sensing liquid flow through the opening at the forward end of the hollow tube.34. The method of claim 28, wherein the tube comprises a hollow tube having an opening at a forward end, and wherein the step of advancing the tube through the puncture in the liquid-carrying vessel further comprises locating the puncture site in the vessel by injecting a radiopaque contrast medium through the hollow tube and confirming the relative location of the tube by fluoroscopy.35. The method of claim 28, wherein the tube is adapted to slidably receive a guidewire.36. A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:a hollow shaft; a member slidably receivable within the hollow shaft and movable between a forward position in which the member projects beyond a forward end of the hollow shaft to position the forward end of the hollow shaft over a puncture in a liquid-carrying vessel, and a rearward position in which the member is retracted relative to the hollow shaft; and an actuator for driving a staple through the hollow shaft to staple together the puncture and for simultaneously retracting the member as the staple is released. 37. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 36, wherein the member comprises a blood locator tube.38. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 36, wherein the member is adapted to be positioned between legs of a staple when the member is in the forward position.39. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 36, wherein the member is adapted to extend into a puncture in a liquid-carrying vessel when the member is in the forward position.40. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 36, further comprising a guide wire adapted to slidably receive the surgical stapling apparatus to guide the surgical stapling apparatus to the puncture.41. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 36, wherein the actuator comprises a movable trigger.42. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 41, wherein the movable trigger is coupled to a housing formed on a proximal end of the hollow shaft.43. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 36, wherein the member is adapted to be positioned in alignment with a staple when the member is in the forward position.