Flexible, hydraulically actuated device for applying surgical fasteners
First Claim
1. An apparatus for applying a surgical fastener to tissue, said apparatus comprising:
- applicator means for applying a surgical fastener to tissue, said applicator means including means for driving a surgical fastener in a predetermined direction to apply the fastener to tissue;
said applicator means further including anvil support means for supporting an anvil for clinching a fastener driven by said driving means and for clamping tissue to which a fastener is to be applied;
said applicator means having a distal end and a cooperating element disposed at said distal end of said applicator means for clamping tissue between the anvil and said cooperating element;
actuator means for actuating said applicator means to drive a fastener in said predetermined direction;
shaft means joining said actuator means and said applicator means, and comprising a first hydraulic line containing hydraulic fluid for hydraulically transmitting an actuation force from said actuator means to said applicator means to cause said applicator means to drive a fastener in said predetermined direction;
said shaft means being sufficiently flexible to bend, in a direction transverse to its length, during insertion into a body channel, to conform to the configuration of said body channel into which the apparatus is inserted for the particular surgical operation, and sufficiently stiff to retain such configuration during application of a fastener; and
means for moving an anvil supported by said anvil support means and for adjusting the distance between the anvil and said cooperating element preparatory to applying a fastener;
said anvil moving means comprising a control mechanism disposed in said actuator means, and means disposed in said shaft means for transmitting a force hydraulically from said control mechanism to said anvil support means for moving said anvil support means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for applying surgical fasteners to tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes an actuator, an applicator section for applying the fasteners and a transversely flexible shaft connecting the applicator and the actuator. The actuator and applicator preferably each contain a hydraulic fluid chamber. The chambers communicate via a hydraulic line contained in the flexible shaft. Actuation of the instrument causes movement of a piston in the applicator fluid chamber, which causes application of the fasteners. A similar second hydraulic system is preferably provided for adjusting the axial position of an anvil used to clinch the fasteners. The two hydraulic control systems are operable wholly independently of each other, permitting precise control of the anvil pressure on the tissue.
1726 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An apparatus for applying a surgical fastener to tissue, said apparatus comprising:
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applicator means for applying a surgical fastener to tissue, said applicator means including means for driving a surgical fastener in a predetermined direction to apply the fastener to tissue;
said applicator means further including anvil support means for supporting an anvil for clinching a fastener driven by said driving means and for clamping tissue to which a fastener is to be applied;
said applicator means having a distal end and a cooperating element disposed at said distal end of said applicator means for clamping tissue between the anvil and said cooperating element;actuator means for actuating said applicator means to drive a fastener in said predetermined direction; shaft means joining said actuator means and said applicator means, and comprising a first hydraulic line containing hydraulic fluid for hydraulically transmitting an actuation force from said actuator means to said applicator means to cause said applicator means to drive a fastener in said predetermined direction;
said shaft means being sufficiently flexible to bend, in a direction transverse to its length, during insertion into a body channel, to conform to the configuration of said body channel into which the apparatus is inserted for the particular surgical operation, and sufficiently stiff to retain such configuration during application of a fastener; andmeans for moving an anvil supported by said anvil support means and for adjusting the distance between the anvil and said cooperating element preparatory to applying a fastener; said anvil moving means comprising a control mechanism disposed in said actuator means, and means disposed in said shaft means for transmitting a force hydraulically from said control mechanism to said anvil support means for moving said anvil support means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification