Method of stapling tissues with a staple assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9636111-B2
Application number	US-59806408-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 5, 2008
Priority date	May 7, 2007
Publication date	May 2, 2017
Grant date	May 2, 2017

Abstract

There is provided a variable size, uniform compression staple assembly for use in stapling differing thicknesses of tissues. The staple assembly includes a staple and a staple block for receipt of tissue penetrating tips of the staple. Upon assembly through tissue, the tissue penetrating tips of the staple lodge within the staple block to a depth inversely proportional to the thickness of the tissues being stapled. There is also disclosed an anvil configured for use with the staple assembly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of stapling tissues of differing thicknesses with a uniform size staple assembly comprising:
providing a surgical stapler having a staple head containing a staple and an anvil, the anvil and staple head being relatively movable, the anvil releasably containing a staple block formed from a material and defining a rectangular configuration having a length, a width less than the length, and a height less than the length, the staple block including an exterior having four sides extending along the length of the staple block and opposed ends extending along the width of the staple block;
capturing tissue having a thickness between the staple head and the anvil; and
passing the staple through the captured tissue such that tips of the staple move toward one another along parallel axes to pierce the opposed ends of the exterior of the staple block, extend into the staple block, and lodge within the staple block at a depth proportional to the thickness and in a position wherein the tips are oriented in opposite directions in parallel orientation relative to the four sides of the staple block.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the material is a composite material.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the material is a plastic material.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the material is a polymeric material.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the material is an absorbable material.

Assignees

• Wenchell Thomas
• Covidien Lp

Inventors

• Wenchell Thomas

Classifications

• A61B17/07292

  Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets · CPC title

• A61B2017/07242

  achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes · CPC title

• A61B17/0686

  having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling · CPC title

• A61B17/0644

  penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position · CPC title

• A61B17/0643 Primary

  with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple · CPC title