Surgical method for stapling tissue

• US 8,789,738 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2011
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• 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): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US13/105,799
• Publication Number:
  US 20110210157A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 227/19, 606/219, 128/898
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• 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 method of treating tissue may include possessing a surgical tool that has at least one movable feeder belt that includes staples frangibly connected thereto, where at least one staple is oriented relative to the feeder belt in a direction angled relative to the transverse direction; placing the surgical tool adjacent to tissue; deforming at least one staple into tissue; frangibly separating at least one deformed staple from the feeder belt; advancing the feeder belt; and repeating the placing, deploying and separating. Another exemplary surgical method of treating tissue of a patient may include holding a cartridgeless surgical tool that includes staples; stapling tissue with staples in response to a single actuation of the surgical tool; and repeating the stapling at least once.

Claims

1. A surgical method of treating tissue, comprising:

possessing a surgical tool comprising at least one movable feeder belt;

said feeder belt including a plurality of staples frangibly connected thereto, wherein at least one said staple is oriented relative to said feeder belt in a direction angled relative to a transverse direction;

placing said surgical tool adjacent to tissue;

deforming at least one said staple into tissue;

deploying at least one said deformed staple from said feeder belt, wherein said deploying includes frangibly separating the at least one said deformed staple from said feeder belt;

advancing said feeder belt; and

repeating said placing, deforming and deploying, wherein said repeating said deploying is performed with a plurality of said staples that were present inside the surgical tool during said first deploying.

2. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein said placing comprises placing said surgical tool adjacent to vascular tissue.

3. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein said placing comprises placing said surgical tool adjacent to gastrointestinal tissue.

4. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein said placing comprises placing said surgical tool adjacent to skin tissue.

5. The surgical method of claim 1, further comprising connecting one blood vessel to another as a result of said deforming.

6. The surgical method of claim 1, further comprising incising tissue with said surgical tool.

7. A surgical method of treating tissue, comprising:

possessing a surgical tool that holds a plurality of staples;

deploying a plurality of said staples from said surgical tool into tissue with a single actuation of said surgical tool, wherein said deploying includes frangibly separating said staples from a carrier; and

repeating said deploying with a plurality of said staples that were present inside the surgical tool during said first deploying.

8. The surgical method of claim 7, wherein said surgical tool includes an end effector into which said carrier extends;

further comprising moving said carrier relative to said end effector after said deploying and before said repeating said deploying.

9. The surgical method of claim 7, wherein said staples each have a single tine and a single backbone, wherein said deploying includes deforming said single tine.

10. The surgical method of claim 7, wherein at least one staple has two ends, one of which is free and the other of which is fixed to said carrier, wherein said deploying includes urging said free end into tissue.

11. The surgical method of claim 7, wherein said deploying includes first deforming each said staple to a closed configuration, then breaking said staple from said carrier.

12. A surgical method of treating tissue of a patient, comprising:

holding a cartridgeless surgical tool that comprises a plurality of staples;

deploying a plurality of staples from said surgical tool into tissue in response to a single actuation of said surgical tool; and

repeating said deploying at least once with a plurality of said staples that were present inside the surgical tool during said first deploying.

13. The surgical method of claim 12, further comprising incising tissue with said surgical tool.

14. The surgical method of claim 13, wherein said incising is performed during said stapling.

15. The surgical method of claim 13, further comprising introducing at least part of said surgical tool into the patient through a trocar port.