Reloading unit for surgical fastening instruments
First Claim
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1. A transfer magazine for providing a charge of staples to a staple cartridge in a surgical fastening instrument which comprises:
- pusher means having a plurality of staple support members spaced from one another, each of said support members being generally shaped to conform to the inner surface of a staple;
a plurality of staples disposed on said staple support members, andholding means having therein a plurality of receptacles adapted to mate with and hold each of said staples on said support members prior to transfer to the staple cartridge, said holding means being adapted to slidably move with respect to said staples and support members to release said staplers held therein and facilitate loading a charge of staples into the staple cartridge of the surgical fastening instrument.
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Abstract
Apparatus for providing a new charge of staples to a staple cartridge in surgical fastening instruments. A transfer magazine, housing the new charge of staples, is adapted to be positioned in alignment with the staple cartridge contained in the instrument. Upon closure of the instrument, a new charge of staples is transferred from the magazine to the staple cartridge thereby allowing for further usage of the instrument.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A transfer magazine for providing a charge of staples to a staple cartridge in a surgical fastening instrument which comprises:
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pusher means having a plurality of staple support members spaced from one another, each of said support members being generally shaped to conform to the inner surface of a staple; a plurality of staples disposed on said staple support members, and holding means having therein a plurality of receptacles adapted to mate with and hold each of said staples on said support members prior to transfer to the staple cartridge, said holding means being adapted to slidably move with respect to said staples and support members to release said staplers held therein and facilitate loading a charge of staples into the staple cartridge of the surgical fastening instrument. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A reloading unit for use with surgical fastening instruments having staple cartridges to provide a new charge of staples to said cartridge and reload said instrument thereby enabling reuse thereof in surgical procedures which comprises:
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pusher means in the form of a comb-like member including a plurality of spaced prongs which serve as staple support members and generally conform to the inner shape of a staple; a plurality of U-shaped staples disposed over said staple support members; holding means having therein a plurality of receptacles adapted to hold and slidably engage said staples disposed over said support members; guide means disposed on said holding means for slidably engaging the side edges of the staple cartridge on the surgical fastening instrument; and alignment means for aligning the charge of staples in said transfer magazine with said staple cartridge to allow for transfer of the new charge of said staples in said transfer magazine to said staple cartridge upon closure of said surgical fastening instrument. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A method of performing multiple stapling functions utilizing a stapling instrument which comprises the steps of:
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firing the instrument to expend a charge of staples contained in a staple cartridge of the instrument; providing a new charge of staples in a transfer magazine for reloading said staple cartridge, said transfer magazine including therein a plurality of staples corresponding substantially to the number of staples carried in said staple cartridge; opening the instrument to separate the staple cartridge and anvil portions of the stapling assembly; positioning said transfer magazine between the open portions of said stapling assembly; aligning said transfer magazine and staple cartridge to facilitate transfer of said staples in said magazine to said cartridge with a closed end of each of said plurality of said staples first entering said cartridge thereby aligning the free end of the legs of the staple with the opening in said cartridge; and closing said surgical instrument sufficiently to cause said staple cartridge and anvil portions of said stapling assembly to close upon said transfer magazine disposed therebetween so as to cause transfer of the staples from said transfer magazine to said staple cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification