Surgical Staple And Method Of Use

• US 20110087278A1
• Filed: 10/01/2010
• Published: 04/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Viola, Frank, Hodgkinson, Gerald
• Granted Patent: US 10,194,904 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/219
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00637 for sealing trocar wounds through abdominal wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00668 the implement being a tack or a staple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 having at least three legs as part of one single body
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/022 Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/148 Materials at least partially resorbable by the body

Abstract

A surgical staple configured to close an opening in tissue is provided. The surgical staple includes a base including first and second base portions and first and second legs extending from respective first and second base portions. The first and second base portions form a bendable connection therebetween. The staple has a first substantially open position in which the first base portion defines an angle with the second base portion and a second substantially closed position.

Claims

1. A surgical staple comprising:

a base including first and second base portions; and

first and second legs extending from respective first and second base portions, wherein the first and second base portions form a bendable connection therebetween, the staple having a first substantially open position in which the first base portion defines an angle with the second base portion and a second substantially closed position.

2. The staple of claim 1, wherein the first and second legs are substantially parallel to one another in the first position.

3. The staple of claim 1, wherein the first and second legs extend towards one another in the second position.

4. The staple of claim 1, wherein the first and second legs each have at least one point.

5. The staple of claim 1, wherein the first and second legs are tapered.

6. The staple of claim 1, wherein the staple is formed of an absorbable material.

7. The staple of claim 1, wherein the staple is formed of an absorbable metal.

8. A stapling apparatus comprising:

an elongated shaft;

a handle assembly mounted on a proximal end of the elongated shaft;

a staple forming assembly mounted on a distal end of the elongated shaft; and

a staple comprising;

a base including first and second base portions; and

first and second legs extending from respective first and second base portions, wherein the first and second base portions form a bendable connection therebetween, the staple having a first substantially open position in which the first base portion defines an angle with the second base portion and a second substantially closed position.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a vacuum assembly slidably disposed on the elongated shaft relative to the staple forming assembly.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the vacuum assembly includes a housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the housing is configured for operable engagement with a vacuum source.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the staple forming assembly includes at least one anvil member.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the handle assembly includes a first moveable handle operably connected to the staple forming assembly.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the handle assembly includes a second moveable handle operably connected to a vacuum assembly.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first and second base portions form an angle less than 180°

therebetween in a first position.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first and second base portions form an angle greater than 180°

in a second position.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the staple forming assembly is configured to deform the staple from the first position to the second position.

18. A method of closing tissue comprising the steps of:

providing a stapling apparatus configured for insertion into a body cavity through an opening in tissue, the stapling apparatus including a handle assembly, a staple forming assembly and a staple;

inserting the stapling apparatus into a body cavity through the opening;

pulling opposed sides of the opening about the stapling apparatus;

retracting the stapling apparatus to cause engagement of the staple with tissue about the incision;

activating the stapling forming assembly to cause deformation of the staple;

disengaging the stapling apparatus from the deformed staple; and

withdrawing the stapling apparatus from the opening.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the opposed sides of the opening are pulled using a vacuum.