Rotating head skin stapler

• US 5,330,087 A
• Filed: 05/14/1993
• Issued: 07/19/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hughett, James D., Love, John F., Schwemberger, Richard F., Murray, Michael A., Stephens, Randy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada, Rinaldi I.
• Application Number:
  US08/062,890
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175, 227/176, 227/177, 227/178, 227/182
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0684 having a forming anvil staying above the tissue during stapling

Abstract

A surgical stapler having a trigger attached to a ratcheting mechanism for preventing the refiring of the stapler trigger with a staple loaded within a forming mechanism. In addition, the mechanism contains driver buffering means to prevent the sharp reduction in opposing force driving formation of a staple. The staples are constantly maintained in proper orientation during transfer from a track to the forming site, and are self-centering on the former, and have an oversized crown so that cold-worked areas on each staple do not hinder forming.

Claims

1. A stapler comprising:

a base containing a trigger for actuating a mechanism for closing staples, said trigger moving in a path defining a stroke having a beginning and an end;

a stapling mechanism extending from said base, said stapling mechanism capable of causing staples to be closed; and

located in said base, opposing means for acting on said trigger at the end of said stroke during the formation of staples, said opposing means comprising a stop on said base;

said trigger comprising a drive block moved along a travel axis in said base, said drive block having buffer means which engage said stop on said base to oppose said trigger; and

wherein said buffer means does not engage said stop at the beginning of said stroke and thereafter said buffer means engages said stop after the beginning of said stroke and during the closing of staples by said stapling mechanism, and remains engaged with said stop until the end of said stroke.

2. The stapler of claim 1 further comprising release means located on said stapling mechanism and for releasing a closed staple, and wherein said stop and said buffer means remain engaged with one another on said base until said release means have released a closed staple from said stapling mechanism.