Surgical method utilizing a true multiple-fire surgical stapler

• US 9,655,618 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2015
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Touchstone International Medical Science Co. Ltd
• Original Assignee: Dextera Surgical, Inc. (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Hausen, Bernard A., Knodel, Bryan D., Clauson, Luke W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US14/734,952
• Publication Number:
  US 20150265277A1
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 227 19, 2271751, 2271761, 2271781, 2271801, 606139, 606153, 606219
• 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. An endocutter to treat tissue at a surgical site, comprising:

a staple holder;

a feeder belt disposed within said staple holder;

a plurality of staples coupled to said feeder belt; and

a wedge member configured to make direct contact with one of said plurality of staples to fully and completely deploy the one of said plurality of staples onto or into a target tissue against an anvil member.

2. The endocutter of claim 1, wherein to fully and completely deploy the one of said plurality of staples involves only, exclusively, or singularly the wedge member contacting with the one of said plurality of the staples against the anvil member.

3. The endocutter of claim 1, wherein to fully and completely deploy the one of said plurality of staples involves the wedge forcing the one of said plurality of staples to deploy in a proximally and upwardly direction resulting in a moment that causes the one of said plurality of staples to penetrate said target tissue.

4. The endocutter of claim 1, wherein to fully and completely deploy the one of said plurality of staples involves the wedge forcing the one of said plurality of staples to deploy in a proximally and upwardly direction resulting in a moment that causes the one of said plurality of staples to shear, break, or separate from the feeder belt.

5. The endocutter of claim 4, wherein the wedge member has an angle surface for contacting with the one of said plurality of staples.

6. The endocutter of claim 1, wherein the one of said plurality of staples has a V-shape.

7. The endocutter of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of staples has a V-shape.

8. The endocutter of claim 1, wherein the one of said plurality of staples have a different shape or configuration than another one of said plurality of staples.

9. An endocutter to treat tissue at a surgical site, comprising:

a staple holder;

a feeder belt disposed within said staple holder;

a plurality of staples coupled to said feeder belt; and

a wedge member configured to make direct contact with one of said plurality of staples to generate a moment that causes the one of said plurality of staples to shear, break, or separate from the feeder belt.

10. An endocutter to treat tissue at a surgical site, comprising:

a staple holder;

a feeder belt disposed within said staple holder;

a plurality of staples coupled to said feeder belt, wherein each of said plurality of staples has only one free leg for penetrating and securing a target tissue; and

a wedge member configured to make direct contact with one of said plurality of staples to fully and completely deploy the one of said plurality of staples by forcing a one free leg of the one of said plurality of staples to deploy, penetrate and secure the target tissue.

11. An endocutter to treat tissue at a surgical site, comprising:

a staple holder;

a feeder belt disposed within said staple holder;

a plurality of staples coupled to said feeder belt, wherein each of said plurality of staples has a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end of each of said plurality of staples is affixed or coupled to the feeder belt; and

a wedge member configured to make direct contact with each of said plurality of staples, wherein said direct contact causes said free end of each of said plurality of staples to penetrate and secure a target tissue.

12. The endocutter of claim 11, wherein said direct contact with each of said plurality of staples generates a moment that causes each of said plurality of staples to shear, break, or separate from the feeder belt.