Method For Feeding Staples In a Low Profile Surgical Stapler

• US 20100187283A1
• Filed: 01/20/2010
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Harris, Jason L., Stokes, Michael J., Cerier, Jeffrey C., Crainich, Lawrence, Holcomb, Matthew D., O'Keefe, Jonathan B., Boudreau, Keith D.
• Application Number:
  US12/690,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20100187283A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0645 being elastically deformed for insertion

Abstract

A method for feeding a fastener including the step of providing a device having a housing, at least one fastener within the housing, wherein the fastener is disposed within the housing in a first plane, an elongated actuator disposed within the housing, the actuator comprising a shaft substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing and rigidly spaced from the fastener in a second plane the actuator comprising at least one radially extending advancer disposed along a length thereof. The method further includes the step of rotating the actuator so to engage the fastener, and longitudinally moving the actuator to advance the fastener.

Claims

1. A method for feeding a fastener, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a device comprising a housing, at least one fastener within said housing, said fastener disposed within said housing in a first plane, an elongated actuator disposed within said housing, said actuator comprising a shaft substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said housing and rigidly spaced from said fastener in a second plane said actuator comprising at least one radially extending advancer disposed along a length thereof; and

b. rotating said actuator so to engage said fastener; and

c. longitudinally moving said actuator to advance said fastener.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein moving said fastener advancer comprises rotating said fastener advancer.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein moving said fastener advancer comprises translating said fastener advancer.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said fastener is substantially in the shape of a loop.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein at least one fastener is identifiable from at least one other fastener.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein at least one fastener is a different color than at least one other fastener.

2. The method for feeding a fastener comprising:

a. Moving a fastener advancer from a first plane to a second plane with a substantially rigid body motion of said fastener advancer;

b. Contacting a fastener in said second plane with at least a portion of said fastener advancer

c. Advancing said fastener.