Surgical method utilizing a true multiple-fire surgical stapler

• US 9,144,427 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2014
• Issued: 09/29/2015
• 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): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US14/222,527
• Publication Number:
  US 20140207165A1
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/176.1, 227/175.1, 227/180.1, 606/139, 606/151, 606/153, 606/219
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 within the body of a patient may include having an endocutter having an end effector; inserting the end effector into the body of a patient through an opening; engaging tissue with the end effector; stapling tissue along two staple lines with the end effector; cutting tissue between the staple lines with the end effector; releasing the tissue from the end effector; and repeating the engaging, stapling, cutting and releasing within the body of the patient on tissue at a different location within the body of the patient while maintaining the end effector within the body of the patient. Another exemplary surgical method of treating a plurality of discrete tissue structures within the body of a patient in which an incision has been made may include having an endocutter that holds a plurality of staples; inserting the distal end of the endocutter through the incision in the patient; and transecting a plurality of the discrete tissue structures with the distal end of the endocutter, without withdrawing the distal end of the endocutter through the incision in the patient and without inserting additional staples into the endocutter.

Claims

1. A surgical method of treating tissue, comprising:

placing an end-effector of an endocutter into a surgical site;

engaging a target tissue with said end-effector at said surgical site;

applying staples to said target tissue to form two lines of staples upon said target tissue with said end-effector;

frangible separating each of said staples from a feeder belt by a wedge member;

cutting said tissue between said two lines of staples with said end-effector; and

disengaging said end-effector from said tissue.

2. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein engaging said target tissue with said end-effector comprises clamping said target tissue with said end-effector.

3. The surgical method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a number of staples to be applied to said target tissue.

4. The surgical method of claim 3, wherein selecting said number of staples to be applied to said target tissue determines a length for said two lines of staples.

5. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein cutting said tissue between said two lines of staples comprises activating a knife member in said end-effector to cut said tissue between said two lines of staples.

6. The surgical method of claim 5, wherein activating said knife comprises moving said knife from a first position or a first orientation to a second position or a second orientation.

7. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein cutting said tissue between said two lines of staples comprises deploying said knife member in said end-effector to cut said tissue between said two lines of staples.

8. The surgical method of claim 7, wherein deploying said knife member comprises advancing, translating, or moving said knife substantially in one direction across said target tissue from a first location to a second location, thereby creating a cut across said target tissue at a length defined by a distance from said first location to said second location.

9. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein disengaging said end-effector from said target tissue comprises unclamping said end-effector from said target tissue.

10. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein applying staples to said target tissue comprises engaging a wedge member to act against each of said staples to deploy at least a portion of each of said staples through said target tissue.

11. The surgical method of claim 10, wherein engaging said wedge member to act against each of said staples comprises advancing, translating, or moving said wedge member to act against each of said staples.

12. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein placing said end-effector of said endocutter into said surgical site comprising placing said end-effector through an opening.

13. The surgical method of claim 12, wherein said opening is less than 10 millimeters in diameter.

14. The surgical method of claim 12, wherein said opening being an opening of a trocar.