Surgical stapler for applying a large staple through a small delivery port and a method of using the stapler to secure a tissue fold

• US 9,713,468 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2009
• Issued: 07/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Stokes, Michael J., Powell, Darrel M., Zeiner, Mark S., Harris, Jason L., Crainich, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): TYSON, MELANIE RUANO
• Application Number:
  US12/608,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20100191282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,826 Days
• Field of Search: 606143
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2925 Pistol grips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means

Abstract

A method of deploying a surgical fastener into a patient by introducing the fastener into a body of a patient while the fastener is in a first shape having a first loop with a back span and an original size and shape. The method then involves moving end segments of the fastener away from each other substantially along an entire length thereof while keeping the back span in substantially its original size and shape. The method then involves forming the fastener into a second loop having a width greater than a width of the first loop.

Claims

1. A method of deploying a surgical fastener comprising the steps of:

a. introducing said fastener into a body of a patient while said fastener is in a first shape comprising a first loop having a back span with an original size and shape;

b. moving end segments of said fastener away from each other substantially along an entire length thereof while keeping said back span in substantially its original size and shape; and

c. forming said fastener into a second loop having a width greater than a width of said first loop.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of forming said fastener into a second loop having a width greater than a width of said first loop also comprises the step of keeping said back span in substantially its original size and shape.

3. The method of claim 1 further wherein the step of introducing said fastener comprises the step of providing a fastener comprising:

a. a base, and two legs extending away from said base, said legs having distal end segments;

b. a first shape wherein said distal end segments bend towards each other in so that they are adjacent and form said fastener into a first loop;

c. a second shape wherein said distal end segments are spaced apart from each other along substantially an entire length thereof; and

d. a third shape wherein said distal end segments bend towards each other in so that they are adjacent and form said fastener into a second loop, said second loop having a width greater than a width of said first loop.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of forming said fastener comprises approximating tissue locations separated by a distance larger than a maximum width between said end segments of said fastener.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising moving said tissue locations by said end segments of said fastener.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising moving said tissue locations by using at least one additional tissue manipulator.

7. A method of deploying a surgical fastener comprising the steps of:

a. introducing said fastener into a body of a gastric cavity of a patient while said fastener is in a first shape comprising a first loop having a back span with an original size and shape;

b. moving end segments of said fastener away from each other substantially along an entire length thereof while keeping said back span in substantially its original size and shape; and

c. forming said fastener around gastrointestinal tissue into a second loop having a width greater than a width of said first loop.

8. The method of claim 7 said step of forming said fastener around gastrointestinal tissue comprises creating a plication of gastric tissue and reducing a stomach capacity.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising securing an implantable material to a tissue of a patient.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of introducing a therapeutic agent into a patient via said fastener.