# US 2016/0354081 A1 · Handling of fasteners within a surgical instrument

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- Number: US 2016/0354081 A1
- Document ID: US20160354081A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/241,904
- Filed: 2016-08-19
- Published: 2016-12-08
- 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/US20160354081A1

## CPC

- 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 2017/00309: {Cut-outs or slits}
- A61B 2017/0647: {having one single leg, e.g. tacks}
- A61B 2017/2905: {flexible}
- A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft}
- A61B 2017/2941: {Toggle linkages}
- 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 at position 1

1-37. (canceled)

### Claim 38

A surgical fastener comprising:
a head;
a shaft extending from the head;
a barbed end located at a distal end of the shaft, the barbed end having a distal tip; and
a through hole extending distally from a proximal surface of the head through the shaft and the barbed end, wherein the distal tip is radially offset relative to the through hole.

### Claim 39 (depends on 38)

The surgical fastener of claim 38, wherein the distal tip is pointed.

### Claim 40 (depends on 38)

The surgical fastener of claim 38, wherein the distal tip is blunt.

### Claim 41 (depends on 38)

The surgical fastener of claim 38, wherein the through hole is sized and shaped to receive a fastener guide.

### Claim 42 (depends on 38)

The surgical fastener of claim 38, wherein the through hole extends through a center of the head and shaft.

### Claim 43 (depends on 38)

The surgical fastener of claim 38, wherein the through hole is radially offset from a center of the head and shaft.

### Claim 44 (depends on 38)

The surgical fastener of claim 38, further comprising at least one guide surface sized and shaped to engage a corresponding surface on a driveshaft of a surgical instrument to maintain an orientation of the fastener within the driveshaft.

### Claim 45 (depends on 44)

The surgical fastener of claim 44, wherein the at least one guide surface is located on the head.

### Claim 46 (depends on 45)

The surgical fastener of claim 45, wherein the at least one guide surface is a flat portion of the head.

### Claim 47 (depends on 46)

The surgical fastener of claim 46, wherein a cross section of the head includes a flat portion and a rounded portion.

### Claim 48

A surgical fastener comprising:
a head;
a shaft extending from the head and having a pointed tip at a distal end; and
a through hole extending distally from a proximal surface of the head through the shaft, wherein the pointed tip is radially offset relative to the through hole.

### Claim 49 (depends on 48)

The surgical fastener of claim 48, further comprising one or more barbs extending outwardly from the shaft.

### Claim 50 (depends on 48)

The surgical fastener of claim 48, wherein the through hole is sized and shaped to receive a fastener guide.

### Claim 51 (depends on 48)

The surgical fastener of claim 48, wherein the through hole extends through a center of the head and shaft.

### Claim 52 (depends on 48)

The surgical fastener of claim 48, wherein the through hole is radially offset from a center of the head and shaft.

### Claim 53 (depends on 48)

The surgical fastener of claim 48, further comprising at least one guide surface sized and shaped to engage a corresponding surface on a driveshaft of a surgical instrument to maintain an orientation of the fastener within the driveshaft.

### Claim 54 (depends on 53)

The surgical fastener of claim 53, wherein the at least one guide surface is located on the head.

### Claim 55 (depends on 54)

The surgical fastener of claim 54, wherein the at least one guide surface is a flat portion of the head.

### Claim 56 (depends on 55)

The surgical fastener of claim 55, wherein a cross section of the head includes a flat portion and a rounded portion.