True multi-fire endocutter

• US 8,439,245 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2011
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Touchstone International Medical Science Co. Ltd
• Original Assignee: Cardica Incorporated
• Inventors: Knodel, Bryan D., Hausen, Bernard A., Clauson, Luke W.
• Primary Examiner(s): LOW, LINDSAY M
• Application Number:
  US13/194,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20110284613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 227/19, 606/219
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• 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 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• 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 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• 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 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 Arrangement of the staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07235 containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials
• 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 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/144 : Wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1452 : including means for cutting A61B2018/146 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3945 : Active visible markers, e.g. light emitting diodes

Abstract

An exemplary surgical endocutter may include a staple holder; at least one feeder belt having two lateral edges, at least part of at least one feeder belt extending into the staple holder; and staples, wherein each said staple may include a first end frangibly affixed to a corresponding feeder belt, wherein each first end is affixed to the feeder belt at a location laterally spaced from the longitudinal centerline of the feeder belt, and a second free end; and wherein the staples form at least one row, each row including at least two said staples; wherein staples in least one row are staggered relative to said staples in at least one other row. Another exemplary surgical endocutter may include a feeder belt; staples frangibly connected to the feeder belt; and at least one wedge movable relative to the staples in a direction substantially longitudinal relative to the feeder belt; wherein at least one wedge both directly engages a plurality of staples and disconnects a plurality of staples from the feeder belt in a single continuous motion of the wedge.

Claims

1. A surgical endocutter, comprising:

a staple holder;

at least one feeder belt with at least one substantially planar segment having two lateral edges, at least part of said at least one feeder belt extending into said staple holder; and

a plurality of staples, wherein each staple comprises a first end frangibly affixed to a corresponding one of said at least one feeder belt, wherein each of said first ends is affixed to said feeder belt at a location laterally spaced from a longitudinal centerline of said feeder belt, and a second free end, wherein said staples form at least one row, each row including at least two of said staples;

wherein said staples in at least one said row are staggered relative to said staples in at least one other said row;

wherein at least one of said staples is affixed to and is out of plane relative to said substantially planar segment of said feeder belt; and

wherein at least one row of staples is frangibly connected to a corresponding one of said two lateral edges of said at least one feeder belt.

2. A surgical endocutter, comprising:

a feeder belt;

a plurality of staples frangibly connected to said feeder belt; and

at least one wedge movable relative to said staples in a direction substantially longitudinal relative to said feeder belt;

wherein at least one said wedge both directly engages a plurality of said staples and disconnects a plurality of said staples from said feeder belt in a single continuous motion of said wedge.

3. The surgical endocutter of claim 2, wherein at least one said wedge serially engages said staples and serially disconnects said staples from said feeder belt.

4. A surgical endocutter, comprising:

an anvil;

a feeder belt including multiple tabs extending laterally therefrom;

a staple holder that holds at least part of said feeder belt, said staple holder connected to said anvil;

a plurality of staples frangibly connected to said tabs; and

at least one wedge movable relative to said staples in a direction substantially longitudinal relative to said feeder belt;

wherein said at least one wedge both directly engages a plurality of said staples and also disconnects a plurality of said staples from said tabs of said feeder belt in a single continuous motion of said wedge; and

wherein engagement between said at least one wedge and said plurality of staples causes each staple of said plurality of staples to rotate about a corresponding one of said tabs to which it is frangibly connected, contact said anvil, and deform to a closed configuration.

5. The surgical endocutter of claim 4, wherein engagement between said at least one wedge and said plurality of staples causes each staple to deform plastically.