Multiple-use surgical stapler

• US 8,403,956 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2008
• Issued: 03/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aesculap AG (Lonza Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Cardica Incorporated
• Inventors: Thompson, Bennie, Park, Jinhoon, Knodel, Bryan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine M
• Assistant Examiner(s): MASHACK, MARK F
• Application Number:
  US12/263,171
• Time in Patent Office: 1,607 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/177.1, 227/179.1, 227/180.1, 606/139, 606/219, 606/151, 606/213, 606/215
• US Class Current: 606/219
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0293 with ring member to support retractor elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1222 Packages or dispensers therefor clip magazines incorporated in a clip-applying instrument A61B17/128; for surgical articles A61B50/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00544 pneumatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter

Abstract

A surgical apparatus may include an end effector comprising a staple holder including a housing therein, and an anvil connected to the staple holder, where the end effector is movable between an open configuration and a clamped configuration; a feeder belt having two lateral edges, at least part of which is held within the housing; a plurality of staples, where each staple has a first end frangibly connected to the feeder belt and a second, free end; where at least one staple is oriented relative to the corresponding feeder belt in a direction angled relative to the transverse direction; and wherein the staples form at least one row, each row including at least two staples; and an overtube movable relative to the staple holder and anvil.

Claims

1. A surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient, the method comprising:

providing an endocutter having an end effector with a first plurality of staples arranged in a firing position and frangibly connected to a feeder belt;

engaging a first portion of tissue of the patient with said end effector;

deploying said first plurality of staples into said first portion of tissue by a first actuation of the endocutter;

disengaging said end effector from said first portion of tissue;

after the disengaging step, engaging a second portion of tissue of the patient with said end effector;

moving a second plurality of staples into said firing position from another location within said endocutter by advancing at least part of said feeder belt;

clamping said feeder belt in place; and

deploying said second plurality of staples into said second portion of tissue by a second actuation of the endocutter.

2. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein advancing said at least part of said feeder belt comprises ratcheting said at least part of said feeder belt distally.

3. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein at least two staples of said first plurality of staples or said second plurality of staples are detachably connected to said feeder belt and are arranged in at least one generally longitudinally-extending row.