# US 2016/0354084 A1 · Staple feeding and forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0354084 A1 - Document ID: US20160354084A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/205,087 - Filed: 2016-08-17 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-10-26 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: John Beardsley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160354084A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 17/0644: {penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position} - A61B 17/0682: {for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil} - A61B 17/0686: {having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling} - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge} - A61B 2017/07278: {characterised by its sled or its staple holder} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Disclosed is a surgical stapling apparatus and method of use that includes a cartridge assembly which is capable of being reloaded during a surgical procedure without being removed from the surgical site. This allows a surgeon to continue a surgical operation without withdrawing or removing the surgical stapler for reloading and thus reduces the length of the surgery while allowing the physician to concentrate solely on the surgical procedure rather than dividing attention between the surgical procedure and reloading of the surgical stapler. The surgical stapling apparatus includes an elongate member having a plurality of fasteners arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows which is longitudinally translatable through the cartridge to position the plurality of fasteners relative to a plurality of retention slots extending through an upper surface of the cartridge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 An end effector for a surgical stapling apparatus comprising: a housing defining a plurality of passageways and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough; a cartridge extending from the housing and including a channel extending longitudinally therethrough, the cartridge having an upper surface with a plurality of retention slots extending therethrough for the reception of surgical fasteners; a flexible elongate member having perforations, the elongate member releasably retaining a plurality of fasteners arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows, the elongate member longitudinally translatable through the housing and the cartridge to move the fasteners from a position proximal of the retention slots to a position in line with the slots; a plurality of pushers disposed within the cartridge and operatively associated with the plurality of retention slots, the plurality of pushers adapted to support the plurality of fasteners, each having a post; a drive member movable through the cartridge from an initial position and adapted to engage the plurality of pushers to urge the pushers upwardly to urge the plurality of fasteners through the plurality of retention slots, the fasteners being released by the elongate member by tearing of the elongate member at the perforations, the drive member defining an inclined slot for receiving the post of each pusher; and an actuation mechanism for moving the drive member in an opposite direction to the initial position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The end effector of claim 2, wherein the elongate member is movable longitudinally. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The end effector of claim 3, wherein the elongate member has a first group of fasteners and a second group of fasteners. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The end effector of claim 3, wherein the drive member is movable to an initial position to a fully fired position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The end effector of claim 4, wherein the first group of fasteners are urged through the retention slots when the drive member is moved to the fully fired position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The end effector of claim 5, wherein the elongate member is movable longitudinally to move the second group of fasteners into alignment with the retention slots. ### Claim 8 (canceled) ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The end effector of claim 7, wherein the slot of each pusher extends in an upward direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The end effector of claim 8, wherein movement of the drive member to the initial position pulls the plurality of pushers downwardly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The end effector of claim 2, further comprising an anvil assembly with fastener forming depressions aligned with the retention slots. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The end effector of claim 10, wherein the cartridge and anvil assembly are movable to engage tissue therebetween. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The end effector of claim 2, further comprising a handle assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The end effector of claim 12, further comprising an elongate body for use in endoscopic procedures. ### Claim 15 (depends on 2) The end effector of claim 2, wherein the elongate member defines openings for retaining the plurality of fasteners. ### Claim 16 (depends on 2) The end effector of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of fasteners have two legs. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The end effector of claim 15, wherein the elongate member has holes for receiving the legs. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The end effector of claim 16, wherein the elongate member has slits between the holes.