Method of utilizing a driverless surgical stapler

• US 8,272,551 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2011
• Issued: 09/25/2012
• 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:
  US13/093,791
• Publication Number:
  US 20120097731A1
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 227/19
• 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 method for treating an animal body may include receiving a driverless surgical stapler that includes a staple holder, staples positioned within that staple holder, and at least one wedge; and sliding at least one wedge relative to the staples to directly contact at least one staple.

Claims

1. A method for treating an animal body, comprising:

receiving a driverless surgical stapler, comprising;

a staple holder;

a plurality of staples positioned within said staple holder;

a feeder belt to which at least one of said plurality of staples is breakable fixed; and

at least one wedge; and

sliding said at least one wedge relative to said staples to directly contact at least one of said plurality of staples,

wherein contacting said at least one wedge with said at least one of said plurality of staples first causes each contacted staple to deform and then causes each said contacted staple to break away from said feeder belt.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said sliding is performed in a first direction.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising reloading said surgical stapler, said reloading comprising:

sliding said at least one wedge in a second direction opposite to said first direction; and

advancing said feeder belt.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said reloading is performed while said staple holder is within the body.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said staple holder is cartridgeless.