# US 10,478,184 B2 · System for controlling a tissue-stapling operation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,478,184 B2 - Document ID: US10478184B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/410,333 - Filed: 2017-01-19 - Published: 2017-07-06 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Applicants: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Inventors: Carlos Castro; Amador Hallare; Hollie Pope; David Cole - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478184B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 17/115: Staplers for performing anastomosis, e.g. in a single operation - A61B 2017/00128: {related to intensity or progress of surgical action} - A61B 2017/00367: {Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like} - A61B 2017/00535: {pneumatically or hydraulically operated (A61B2017/22051, A61B2090/401 take precedence)} - A61B 2017/00539: {hydraulically} - A61B 2017/00818: {Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system} - A61B 2017/00827: {Treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux} - A61B 2017/07214: {Stapler heads} - A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil} - A61B 2017/306: {holding by means of suction} - A61B 2090/065: {for measuring contact or contact pressure} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An endoscopic stapler is disclosed. The stapler includes a staple member and an anvil member. The staple member may include a staple housing and the staple holder may include one or more staples. The anvil member may be spaced apart from the staple member and may configured to relatively move towards one another. A controller may be fluidly coupled to the staple member through a plurality of conduits. The controller may be configured to (a) direct a pressurized fluid to the staple member through a first conduit of the plurality of conduits to relatively move the staple member and the anvil member towards one another, and (b) direct the pressurize fluid through a second conduit of the plurality of conduits to eject one or more staples from the staple holder. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of operating an endoscopic stapler including (a) a staple member with one or more staples and (b) an anvil member, comprising: positioning the stapler within a body; advancing a first pusher unit relative to a first fluid source of a controller operably coupled to the stapler to direct a pressurized fluid through a first conduit to relatively move the staple member and the anvil member towards one another, wherein the controller includes a sensor that measures an amount of pressurized fluid directed through the first conduit based on an amount of time a current supplied by the controller is activated; and advancing a second pusher unit of the controller relative to a second fluid source to direct a pressurized fluid through a second conduit to eject one or more staples from the staple member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing a pressure applied to the staple member in response to the pressurized fluid in the first conduit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising, when a preselected pressure is sensed, automatically advancing the second pusher unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein relatively moving the staple member and the anvil member towards one another includes (i) moving the staple member towards the anvil member, and (ii) moving the anvil member towards the staple member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the staple member includes a hydraulic chamber with a first piston and a second piston positioned therein, and advancing the first pusher unit results in jointly moving the first piston and the second piston from a first position to a second position to relatively move the staple member and the anvil member towards one another. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein advancing the second pusher unit results in moving the second piston relative to the first piston from the second position to a third position to eject one or more staples from the staple member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including positioning tissue between the staple member and the anvil member before the step of advancing the second pusher unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first pusher unit is fixed to a first plunger, and advancing the first pusher unit moves the first plunger into the first fluid source. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the second pusher unit is fixed to a second plunger, and advancing the second pusher unit moves the second plunger into the second fluid source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second fluid sources each includes a longitudinal axis, and the longitudinal axes of the first and second fluid sources are parallel to each other. ### Claim 11 A method of operating an endoscopic stapler including (a) a staple member with one or more staples and (b) an anvil member, comprising: positioning the stapler within a body, the stapler being operably coupled to a controller that includes a first member in fluid communication with a first conduit and a second member in fluid communication with a second conduit, wherein each of the first conduit and the second conduit extends from the controller to a hydraulic chamber of the stapler; advancing the first member into a first container to direct a fluid from the first container through the first conduit and into the hydraulic chamber to relatively move the staple member and the anvil member towards one another; and advancing the second member into a second container to direct a fluid from the second container through the second conduit and into the hydraulic chamber to eject one or more staples from the staple member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the first member is a first plunger, and the second member is a second plunger. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second members are parallel to each other. ### Claim 14 A method of operating an endoscopic stapler including (a) a staple member with one or more staples and (b) an anvil member, comprising: positioning the stapler within a body; rotating a first member to direct fluid through a first conduit to relatively move the staple member and the anvil member towards one another; and rotating a second member to direct fluid through a second conduit to eject one or more staples from the staple member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the first member is a lead screw, and the second member is a lead screw. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein: rotating the first lead screw advances a first pusher unit fixed to a first member, causing the first member to advance into a first fluid source to direct fluid through the first conduit; and rotating the second lead screw advances a second pusher unit fixed to a second member, causing the second member to advance into a second fluid source to direct fluid through the second conduit. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising: sensing a pressure applied to the staple member; and when a preselected pressure is reached, rotating the second member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising applying a vacuum to draw tissue between the staple member and the anvil member.