# US 2024/0188959 A1 · Powered circular stapler with reciprocating drive member to provide independent stapling and cutting of tissue > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0188959 A1 - Document ID: US20240188959A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/584,036 - Filed: 2024-02-22 - Published: 2024-06-13 - Earliest claimed: 2017-06-27 - Assignees: Cilag GmbH International - Applicants: Cilag GmbH International - Inventors: Michael D. Auld; Brett E. Swensgard; Sol Posada; Michael J. Vendely; Frederick E. Shelton, IV - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240188959A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/1155: {Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples} - A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/1114: {of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus} - A61B 17/3476: {Powered trocars, e.g. electrosurgical cutting, lasers, powered knives} - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 90/98: using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders - A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments} - A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output} - A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B 2017/00464: {for use with different instruments} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated} - A61B 2017/07242: {achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes} - A61B 2017/07264: {characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material} - A61B 2017/07278: {characterised by its sled or its staple holder} - A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter} - A61B 2017/1132: {End-to-end connections} - A61B 2090/034: {abutting on parts of the device itself} - A61B 2090/0808: {for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath and a staple driving mechanism. The end effector includes a staple deck, an anvil, a first staple driver, and a second staple driver. The staple deck defines a plurality of staple openings in at least one annular array. Each staple opening in the plurality of staple openings houses a staple. The anvil is configured to actuate relative to the staple deck to compress tissue between the staple deck and the anvil. The staple driving mechanism is configured to actuate the first staple driver to fire a first staple of the plurality of staples against the anvil. The staple driving mechanism is further configured to actuate the second staple driver independently of the first staple driver to fire a second staple of the plurality of staples against the anvil. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-20. (canceled) ### Claim 21 An apparatus, comprising: (a) a shaft comprising an outer sheath; and (b) an end effector located distally relative to the shaft, wherein the end effector comprises: (i) an annular staple deck defining a first plurality of staple openings and a second plurality of staple openings, wherein each opening of the first plurality of staple openings houses a respective first staple of a first plurality of staples, wherein each opening of the second plurality of staple openings houses a respective second staple of a second plurality of staples, (ii) an anvil configured to actuate relative to the annular staple deck to compress tissue between the annular staple deck and the anvil, (iii) a first staple driver configured to actuate distally relative to the annular staple deck to thereby drive the first plurality of staples out of the first plurality of staple openings, (iv) a second staple driver configured to actuate distally relative to the annular staple deck and the first staple driver to drive the second plurality of staples out of the second plurality of staple openings, and (v) a cylindrical knife configured to actuate distally relative to the annular staple deck, the first staple driver, and the second staple drive to thereby sever tissue located between the anvil and the annular staple deck. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first staple driver defines a bore dimensioned to slidably house the second staple driver. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first staple driver comprises a plurality of legs slidably housed within the out sheath of the shaft. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the second staple drive is slidably housed between two legs of the plurality of legs of the first staple driver. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the cylindrical knife defines a camming slot. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the shaft comprises a spiraling blade cam configured to rotate the cylindrical knife in response to distal actuation of the cylindrical knife. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a third staple driver configured to actuate with the second staple driver relative to the annular staple deck and the first staple driver. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a fourth staple driver configured to actuate with the second staple drive and the third staple driver relative to the annular staple deck and the first staple driver. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the second staple driver is interposed between the cylindrical knife and the first staple driver. ### Claim 30 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a reciprocating driver configured to distally actuate the first staple driver, the second staple driver, and the cylindrical knife. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the reciprocating driver is configured to actuate the second staple driver. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the reciprocating driver is configured to actuate the cylindrical knife. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the end effector comprises a coupling ring, wherein the cylindrical knife is attached to the coupling ring. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the cylindrical knife is configured to rotate relative to the coupling ring. ### Claim 35 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a body attached to a proximal end of the shaft. ### Claim 36 An apparatus, comprising: (a) a shaft comprising a trocar; and (b) an end effector located distally relative to the shaft, wherein the end effector comprises: (i) an arcuate staple deck defining a first plurality of staple openings and a second plurality of staple openings, wherein each opening of the first plurality of staple openings houses a respective first staple of a first plurality of staples, wherein each opening of the second plurality of staple openings houses a respective second staple of a second plurality of staples, (ii) an anvil configured to selectively attach to the trocar, wherein the anvil is further configured to actuate relative to the arcuate staple deck to compress tissue between the arcuate staple deck and the anvil, (iii) a first staple driver configured to actuate distally relative to the arcuate staple deck to thereby drive the first plurality of staples out of the first plurality of staple openings, (iv) a second staple driver configured to actuate distally relative to the arcuate staple deck and the first staple driver to drive the second plurality of staples out of the second plurality of staple openings, and (v) an arcuate knife configured to actuate distally relative to the arcuate staple deck, the first staple drive, and the second staple driver to thereby sever tissue located between the anvil and the arcuate staple deck. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the second staple driver extends circumferentially. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the first staple driver extends annularly. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the second staple driver forms a sector. ### Claim 40 An apparatus, comprising: (a) a shaft comprising a reciprocating driver; and (b) an end effector located distally relative to the shaft, wherein the end effector comprises: (i) an annular staple deck defining a first plurality of staple openings and a second plurality of staple openings, wherein each opening of the first plurality of staple openings houses a respective first staple of a first plurality of staples, wherein each opening of the second plurality of staple openings houses a respective second staple of a second plurality of staples, (ii) an anvil configured to actuate relative to the annular staple deck to compress tissue between the annular staple deck and the anvil, (iii) a first staple driver configured to actuate distally relative to the annular staple deck to thereby drive the first plurality of staples out of the first plurality of staple openings, (iv) a second staple driver configured to actuate distally relative to the annular staple deck and the first staple driver to drive the second plurality of staples out of the second plurality of staple openings, and (v) a knife configured to actuate distally relative to the annular staple deck, the first staple drive, and the second staple driver to thereby sever tissue located between the anvil and the annular staple deck, wherein the reciprocating driver is configured to actuate the first staple driver, the second staple driver, and the knife.