US 5,817,109 AGranted

Apparatus and method for applying surgical staples to attach an object to body tissue

AssigneeUnited States Surgical Corporation

InventorsRichard A. McGarry, David T. Green, Henry Bolanos, Wayne P. Young, Lisa W. Heaton, Salvatore Castro

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for endoscopic application of surgical staples in laparoscopic hernia surgery. The apparatus includes a handle and a generally elongated endoscopic section connected to the handle and extending distally therefrom. A staple storage magazine is provided for storing a plurality of surgical staples at the distal end portion of the endoscopic section. The staple storage magazine is pivotable between a first position in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic section and a second position at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis. An elongated pusher system is provided for individually advancing at least one staple at a time distally. A trigger mechanism is provided to actuate the pusher.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An apparatus for applying surgical staples for endoscopic hernia repair comprising:

a handle portion having a stationary grip portion and a movable trigger pivotally mounted with respect to the stationary grip portion;
an elongated tubular portion extending from the handle portion, the elongated tubular portion having a longitudinal axis and dimensioned and configured for insertion through a cannula;
a staple supporting portion pivotally connected to a distal end portion of the elongated tubular portion, the staple supporting portion pivotable between a first position in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion and a second position at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis;
a plurality of staples supported in the staple supporting portion;
an actuator spaced from the staple supporting portion and operatively associated therewith, wherein the actuator is slidable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion to thereby pivot the staple supporting portion between the first and second positions;
a staple pusher operatively associated with the trigger and movable between a proximal and distal position, wherein movement of the trigger towards the stationary grip portion advances the staple pusher distally;
and
an anvil positioned at a distal end of the staple supporting portion, wherein distal advancement of the staple pusher advances one of the staples into engagement with the anvil to deform the staple, the staple pusher being movable to advance one of the staples in both the first and the second position of the staple supporting portion.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/714,972Filed 17 Sep 1996 · continuation
Priority: 18 Oct 1991
Granted: 6 Oct 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

A61B 17/0686
For applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil: having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
A61B 17/0684
For applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil: having a forming anvil staying above the tissue during stapling
A61B 17/00234
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: for minimally invasive surgery
A61B 2017/2837
Locking means: with a locking ratchet

Family

Serial782,290Parent of this division · filed 18 Oct 1991
Serial100,613Parent of this continuation · filed 30 Jul 1993
Serial318,588Parent of this continuation · filed 5 Oct 1994
Serial513,247Parent of this continuation · filed 10 Aug 1995
US 5,366,479 AParent of this continuation
US 5,289,963 AParent of this division
US 5,817,109 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.