Electroactive polymer-based actuation mechanism for circular stapler
First Claim
1. A circular stapling device, comprising:
- an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends;
a staple applying assembly coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and adapted to deliver staples into tissue in a substantially curved pattern;
an anvil coupled to the staple applying assembly and movable between an open tissue-receiving position and a closed staple-applying position; and
an electroactive polymer actuator coupled to the staple applying assembly and adapted to drive one or more staples from the staple applying assembly into tissue positioned between the staple applying assembly and the anvil.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for actuating and/or articulating a circular stapler. In one exemplary embodiment, a circular stapler is provided having an elongate shaft with a stapling apparatus coupled thereto. An electrically expandable and contractible actuator, such as an electroactive polymer actuator, can be used to pivotally or angularly adjust a position of the stapling apparatus relative to the elongate shaft by delivering energy to the electroactive polymer actuator. In another embodiment, an electroactive polymer actuator can be used to actuate the stapling apparatus, thereby driving one or more staples, preferably in a substantially curved pattern, into tissue. The actuator can alternatively or additionally drive a blade distally to cut tissue being stapled.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A circular stapling device, comprising:
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an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends; a staple applying assembly coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and adapted to deliver staples into tissue in a substantially curved pattern; an anvil coupled to the staple applying assembly and movable between an open tissue-receiving position and a closed staple-applying position; and an electroactive polymer actuator coupled to the staple applying assembly and adapted to drive one or more staples from the staple applying assembly into tissue positioned between the staple applying assembly and the anvil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for stapling tissue, comprising:
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inserting a circular stapler into a lumen; positioning tissue to be stapled between an anvil and a staple applying assembly located on a distal end of the circular stapler; and delivering energy to an electroactive polymer actuator coupled to the staple applying assembly to drive a plurality of staples through the staple applying assembly and against the anvil to staple the tissue positioned therebetween with staples positioned in a substantially curved pattern. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification