Apparatus and method for applying surgical staples to attach an object to body tissue

• US 20040173659A1
• Filed: 01/08/2004
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1991
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bolanos, Henry, Mastri, Dominick L., Young, Wayne, DeFonzo, Stephan A., McGarry, Richard A., Green, David T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,624,903 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0684 having a forming anvil staying above the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2837 with a locking ratchet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 227/902 Surgical clips or staples

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for endoscopic application of surgical staples adapted to attach surgical mesh to body tissue in laparoscopic hernia surgery. The apparatus includes a frame, and a generally elongated endoscopic section connected to the frame and extending distally therefrom. A staple storage cartridge is removably supported on a pivotal support system at the distal end portion of the endoscopic section with each staple being configured and adapted to attach the mesh to the body tissue. An elongated pusher system formed of several assembled components and extending from the frame to the endoscopic section is provided for individually advancing at least one staple at a time distally for positioning adjacent the surgical mesh and the body tissue. The pusher system also includes a trigger system to actuate the pusher. The trigger system is provided with perceptible tactile sensing means to indicate when the legs of the staple being advanced are exposed so as to be visible to the user for positioning and orientation purposes. Anvil means provides for individually closing each staple to encompass at least a portion of the surgical mesh and to penetrate the body tissue in a manner to attach the portion of the mesh to the body tissue. Projecting distally of the cartridge support system is a pair of legs which are dimensioned and configured to engage the staple during closure to prevent unwanted roll or deformation outside of the plane of the staple.

Claims

1. Apparatus for endoscopic application of surgical staples to attach an object to body tissue, which comprises:

a) frame;

b) generally elongated endoscopic portion connected to said frame and extending distally therefrom, said endoscopic portion defining a generally longitudinal axis and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

c) a cartridge cooperating with the distal end portion of the endoscopic portion for storing a plurality of surgical staples, the staples configured and dimensioned to attach an object to body tissue;

d) an actuating mechanism spaced from said distal end portion of said endoscopic portion, the actuating mechanism openable to move said distal end portion front a first position to a second position angularly oriented relative to said generally longitudinal axis;

e) an advancing mechanism configured to individually advance such staples distally for positioning adjacent the body tissue, said advancing mechanism operable to advance a staple in said first position and said second position of said distal end portion; and

f) a closure mechanism configured to close each staple in a manner at least sufficient to encompass at least a portion of the object and to penetrate the body tissue to attach the portion of the object to the body tissue.