Arcuate apparatus for applying two-part surgical fasteners

• US 5,379,933 A
• Filed: 06/15/1993
• Issued: 01/10/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Geiste, Robert J., Bolanos, Henry, Young, Wayne P., Green, David T., Rende, Frank M. III, Gerry, Stephen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US07/898,801
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175-180
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00446 for use only by lefthanded or only by righthanded persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00451 by lefthanded persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 Arrangement of the staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue along an arcuate path. Each surgical fastener may be in the form of a two-part fastener having a pronged fastener portion for piercing body tissue, and an apertured retainer dimensioned and configured for engaged reception of the pronged fastener portion in interference fit therewith for gripping the body tissue therebetween. Alternatively, the fasteners may be in the form of deformable staples. The apparatus preferably includes arcuately shaped means for holding a plurality of the fastener portions in generally aligned relation, correspondingly arcuately shaped means spaced from the fastener portion holding means for gripping body tissue therebetween and for releasably holding a plurality of the retainers in generally aligned relation and positioned opposite the fasteners when the body tissue is positioned therebetween. Means is provided for sequentially advancing the pronged fastener portions toward the apertured retainers to cause the fastener portions to pierce the body tissue and to be received within the apertures of the retainers in engaged interference relation so as to cause the fastener portions and the retainers to be engaged while gripping the body tissue therebetween. A knife may be provided to cut the body tissue adjacent the fasteners as the fasteners are applied. A method for applying fasteners to body tissue on the apparatus of the invention along an arcuate path is also disclosed.

Claims

1. In combination with an apparatus for applying a plurality of fasteners to body tissue, the apparatus including advancement means for driving said fasteners into the body tissue, an improvement in combination therewith which comprises a manually operable member adapted to be operatively connected to said advancement means, said manually operable member insertable into a first side of said advancement means whereby said member is removable from said first side and insertable into a second side of said advancement means so as to facilitate manual operation on either of at least two sides.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said member includes a connecting stem attached thereto and insertable into said advancement means.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said fasteners are two-part fasteners, a first fastener portion and a second retainer portion adapted to become engagably attached to said fastener portion.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said fasteners are deformable staples adapted to be applied to body tissue and to be advanced into engagement with staple deforming means.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each said staple includes a pair of staple legs facing said staple forming means.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said staple deforming means comprises an anvil portion positioned opposite each staple leg.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second side of said advancement means is opposite said first side.

8. Apparatus for applying at least one row of surgical fasteners which comprises:

a) first arcuate means for holding said fasteners;

b) second arcuate means configured and dimensioned to cooperate with said first arcuate means for effecting closure of said fasteners;

c) means movable relative to the first arcuate means for driving said fasteners into tissue positioned between said first and said second arcuate means;

d) a member removably attached to said fastener driving means to facilitate manual operation thereof from at least one side of said first and second arcuate means, said manually operable member being removably attachable to said fastener driving means on the other side of said first and second arcuate means and positioned and adapted to facilitate applying said fasteners by manually operating said member from said other side of said first and second arcuate means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first arcuate means comprises a cartridge adapted for holding a plurality of fasteners and said second arcuate means comprises at least one of a cartridge for holding a plurality of fastener retainers and a plurality of anvil members for effecting closure of said fasteners.

10. Apparatus for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue, which comprises:

a) handle portion;

b) generally elongated member connected to said handle portion and extending distally therefrom;

c) fastener support positioned in said elongated member for supporting at least one surgical fastener;

d) driving mechanism movable within the elongated member configured and dimensioned for driving said at least one surgical fastener into tissue; and

e) manually operable member operatively connectable with said driving mechanism for actuating said driving mechanism, said manually operable member releasably attachable to at least two sides of said handle portion so as to facilitate manual operation on either of said at least two sides.

11. Apparatus of claim 10 wherein said at least two sides of said handle portion are opposed sides.

12. Apparatus of claim 10 wherein said driving mechanism comprises a pusher mechanism.

13. Apparatus of claim 12 wherein said manually operable member comprises a connecting stem insertable into an aperture associated with said pusher mechanism to connect said manually operable member to said pusher mechanism.

14. Apparatus of claim 13 wherein said connecting stem of said manually operable member is capable of being inserted into said aperture associated with said pusher mechanism from at least two sides of said pusher mechanism.

15. Apparatus of claim 14 wherein said at least two sides of said pusher mechanism are opposed sides.

16. In combination with an apparatus for applying a plurality of fasteners to body tissue, the apparatus including advancement means for driving said fasteners into the tissue, an improvement in combination therewith which comprises a manually operable member capable of being operatively connected to said advancement means, said manually operable member comprising a connecting stem releasably attachable to a first side of said advancement means such that said connecting stem of said member is removable from said first side and releasably attachable to a second side of said advancement means so as to position said member on either of at least said first and second sides, each said fastener including a first fastener portion and a second retainer portion adapted to become engagably attached to said fastener portion.

17. In combination with an apparatus for applying a plurality of fasteners to body tissue, the apparatus including advancement means for driving said fasteners into tissue, an improvement in combination therewith which comprises a manually operable member capable of being operatively connected to said advancement means, said manually operable member releasably insertable into said advancement means from a first direction whereby said member is removable from said advancement means and releasably insertable into said advancement means from a second direction so as to facilitate manual operation on either of at least two sides.