FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX AND AN ALIGNMENT MATRIX
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical stapling system, comprising:
- a first staple comprised of a wire, wherein said first staple comprises;
a first base; and
a first leg extending from said first base;
a second staple comprised of a wire, wherein said second staple comprises;
a second base; and
a second leg extending from said second base;
a retention matrix, comprising;
a first matrix element, comprising;
a first aperture configured to receive said first leg;
a first alignment pocket at least partially surrounding said first aperture, wherein said first alignment pocket is configured to guide said first leg into said first aperture; and
a first retention member configured to engage said first leg;
a second matrix element, comprising;
a second aperture configured to receive said second leg;
a second alignment pocket at least partially surrounding said second aperture, wherein said second alignment pocket is configured to guide said second leg into said second aperture; and
a second retention member configured to engage said second leg;
a connecting link connecting said first matrix element and said second matrix element; and
an alignment matrix comprising a first alignment guide operably engaged with said first leg and a second alignment guide operably engaged with said second leg, wherein said alignment matrix is configured to align said first leg with said second leg.
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Abstract
A surgical fastener system can comprise a plurality of fasteners which can be connected to each other by, one, a retention matrix which is assembled to the fasteners in order to capture tissue within the fasteners and, two, an alignment matrix configured to hold the fasteners together before the retention matrix is assembled thereto. In various embodiments, the retention matrix and the alignment matrix can each comprise a tissue-contacting surface configured to compress tissue therebetween.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A surgical stapling system, comprising:
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a first staple comprised of a wire, wherein said first staple comprises; a first base; and a first leg extending from said first base; a second staple comprised of a wire, wherein said second staple comprises; a second base; and a second leg extending from said second base; a retention matrix, comprising; a first matrix element, comprising; a first aperture configured to receive said first leg; a first alignment pocket at least partially surrounding said first aperture, wherein said first alignment pocket is configured to guide said first leg into said first aperture; and a first retention member configured to engage said first leg; a second matrix element, comprising; a second aperture configured to receive said second leg; a second alignment pocket at least partially surrounding said second aperture, wherein said second alignment pocket is configured to guide said second leg into said second aperture; and a second retention member configured to engage said second leg; a connecting link connecting said first matrix element and said second matrix element; and an alignment matrix comprising a first alignment guide operably engaged with said first leg and a second alignment guide operably engaged with said second leg, wherein said alignment matrix is configured to align said first leg with said second leg. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A surgical stapling system, comprising:
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a first fastener comprising a first base and a first leg extending from said first base; a second fastener comprising a second base and a second leg extending from said second base; a retention matrix, comprising; a first matrix element, comprising; a first aperture configured to receive said first leg; a first pocket surrounding said first aperture; and a first retention tab configured to engage said first leg; a second matrix element, comprising; a second aperture configured to receive said second leg; a second pocket surrounding said second aperture; and a second retention tab configured to engage said second leg; a flexible connector attached to said first matrix element and said second matrix element; and an alignment matrix comprising a first alignment guide operably engaged with said first leg and a second alignment guide operably engaged with said second leg, wherein said alignment matrix is configured to align said first leg with said second leg.
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21. A surgical stapling system, comprising:
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a first staple comprised of a wire, wherein said first staple comprises; a first base; and a first leg extending from said first base; a second staple comprised of a wire, wherein said second staple comprises; a second base; and a second leg extending from said second base; a retention matrix, comprising; a first matrix element, comprising; first receiving means for receiving said first leg; first alignment means for aligning said first leg with said first receiving means; and first retention means for engaging said first leg; a second matrix element, comprising; second receiving means for receiving said second leg; second alignment means for aligning said second leg with said second receiving means; and second retention means for engaging said second leg; and flexible connecting means for connecting said first matrix element and said second matrix element.
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Specification