# US 11,896,227 B2 · Handling of fasteners within a surgical instrument > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,896,227 B2 - Document ID: US11896227B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/583,014 - Filed: 2022-01-24 - Published: 2022-05-12 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-14 - Assignees: C.R. Bard, Inc. - Applicants: C.R. Bard, Inc. - Inventors: Kevin J. Ranucci; Nathan Stewart Cauldwell; Augustus Felix - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896227B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/10: for applying or removing wound clamps {, e.g. containing only one clamp or staple (A61B17/076 takes precedence; containing multiple wound clamps A61B17/068)}; Wound clamp magazines - A61B 17/064: Surgical staples, {i.e. penetrating the tissue} - 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 2017/003: {Steerable} - A61B 2017/00309: {Cut-outs or slits} - A61B 2017/00986: {Malecots, e.g. slotted tubes, of which the distal end is pulled to deflect side struts} - A61B 2017/0647: {having one single leg, e.g. tacks} - A61B 2017/2919: {details of linkages or pivot points} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft assembly including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft assembly. The driveshaft may include an internal channel and at least one guide surface shaped and arranged to maintain an orientation of at least one fastener in the channel of the driveshaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft assembly for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft assembly towards a distal fastener deployment position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical instrument comprising: a handle; an elongated shaft extending distally from the handle; and a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft including a driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft, wherein the driveshaft includes an internal channel adapted and arranged to contain at least one fastener, wherein a cross-section of the internal channel within a distal portion of the driveshaft includes at least one flat portion, wherein a plurality of slits are formed in the distal portion of the driveshaft to form a flexible portion of the driveshaft corresponding to an articulable portion of the elongated shaft, wherein at least a portion of the internal channel including the cross section with the at least one flat portion is disposed within the flexible portion of the driveshaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising the at least one fastener, and wherein the at least one fastener includes at least one surface that interacts with the at least one flat portion of the internal channel to maintain an orientation of the at least one fastener in the internal channel of the driveshaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the driveshaft is configured to linearly reciprocate between a proximal position and a distal position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein the driveshaft is configured to apply a distally directed deployment force to a distal most fastener as the driveshaft is moved towards the distal position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the driveshaft includes at least one fastener driver extending distally and inwardly from a distal end of the driveshaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the at least one fastener driver is aligned with a guide surface at least partially formed by the at least one flat portion of the internal channel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the at least one fastener driver is configured to deform around and past a fastener located in a fastener deployment position when the driveshaft is moved in a proximal direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the at least one fastener driver includes at least one tab. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the at least one tab is configured to contact a proximal portion of a distal most fastener located in a fastener deployment position and apply a distally directed force to the distal most fastener. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the driveshaft is rotationally stationary relative to the elongated shaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one flat portion extends along at least the distal portion of the driveshaft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the elongated shaft is rotatable relative to the handle.