CARDICA, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140339286 | SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTING APPARATUS, CLAMP MECHANISMS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A surgical stapling device is configured for use in open and/or laparoscopic surgical procedures. The device includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly coupled to the handle assembly, and an end-effector coupled to the shaft assembly. The end-effector comprises of a jaw assembly configured to clamp, staple, and/or cut a target tissue. The handle assembly comprises of a trigger element that can activate a drive assembly to advance a clamp drive assembly to clamp the aforementioned target tissue. The clamp drive assembly comprises of a clamp slide member to either advance the clamp drive assembly in a first direction or retreat the clamp drive assembly in a second direction. The clamp drive assembly is movably coupled to a clamp driver member. Movement of the clamp driver member operates clamping operations of a jaw assembly of the surgical stapling device. | 11-20-2014 |
20140332578 | SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTING APPARATUS - DEPLOYMENT MECHANISMS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A surgical stapling device is configured for use in open and/or laparoscopic surgical procedures. The device includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly coupled to the handle assembly, and an end-effector coupled to the shaft assembly. The end-effector comprises of a jaw assembly configured to clamp, staple, and/or cut a target tissue. The handle assembly comprises of a trigger element that can activate a drive assembly to advance a deployment assembly to staple and/or cut the aforementioned target tissue. The deployment assembly comprises of a deployment slide member to either advance the deployment assembly in a first direction or retreat the deployment assembly in a second direction. | 11-13-2014 |
20140263558 | EXTENDED CURVED TIP FOR SURGICAL APPARATUS - A surgical instrument is implemented with an extended curved tip to facilitate maneuvering and manipulating around small spaces and tissues at a surgical site in the body of a patient. The surgical instrument comprises of an end-effector and an extended curved tip that is coupled to the end-effector. A proximal portion of the extended curved tip is coupled to a distal portion of the extended curved tip, and a distal portion of the extended curved tip is configured to be a substantially tapered end or a tapered free-end. | 09-18-2014 |
20140263557 | BELTLESS STAPLE CHAIN FOR CARTRIDGE AND CARTRIDGELESS SURGICAL STAPLERS - A surgical stapling device is configured for use in open and/or laparoscopic surgical procedures. The device includes a staple holder with a first support element and a second support element for supporting a beltless continuous staple chain. Each staple of the staple chain is configured to be frangibly separated from the staple chain to pierce and secure a target tissue when each staple is deployed. The device also includes a plurality of standoff members wherein each of the plurality of standoff members is configured to support one of each staple of the staple chain when the one of each staple is being deployed. The surgical stapling device may be a cartridge-based or a cartridge-less based staple device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140207165 | SURGICAL METHOD UTILIZING A TRUE MULTIPLE-FIRE SURGICAL STAPLER - An exemplary surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include having an endocutter having an end effector; inserting the end effector into the body of a patient through an opening; engaging tissue with the end effector; stapling tissue along two staple lines with the end effector; cutting tissue between the staple lines with the end effector; releasing the tissue from the end effector; and repeating the engaging, stapling, cutting and releasing within the body of the patient on tissue at a different location within the body of the patient while maintaining the end effector within the body of the patient. Another exemplary surgical method of treating a plurality of discrete tissue structures within the body of a patient in which an incision has been made may include having an endocutter that holds a plurality of staples; inserting the distal end of the endocutter through the incision in the patient; and transecting a plurality of the discrete tissue structures with the distal end of the endocutter, without withdrawing the distal end of the endocutter through the incision in the patient and without inserting additional staples into the endocutter. | 07-24-2014 |
20140175153 | BARBED SURGICAL STAPLE - An exemplary surgical staple may include a base including a first end and a second end; a single tine extending from the second end of the base; and a barb extending from the base at a location between the first end of the base and the second end of the base. An end of such a staple may be frangibly affixed to a feeder belt. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include at least one staple including a base including a first end and a second end, a first tine extending from the second end of the base, and a second tine extending from the base at a location between the first end of the base and the second end of the base. | 06-26-2014 |
20140175147 | SURGICAL STAPLER WITH REDUCED CLAMP GAP FOR INSERTION - A surgical apparatus may include a staple holder, an anvil connected to and movable relative to the staple holder, and at least one axle extending outward from the anvil; and an overtube slidable relative to the end effector, the overtube including at least one slot defined therein; where each slot receives a corresponding axle. A surgical method for treating tissue of a patient may include providing an end effector that includes a staple holder and an anvil connected to and movable relative to the staple holder, and an overtube slidable relative to said end effector, making an incision in the patient; inserting the end effector and at least part of the overtube through the incision in a first, insertion configuration in which substantially no gap exists between the anvil and staple holder, and moving the overtube relative to the end effector to open the end effector to a second, unclamped position where at least part of the anvil is spaced apart from the staple holder. | 06-26-2014 |
20140175146 | MICROCUTTER STAPLING APPARATUS CLAMP AND DEPLOY MECHANISMS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A surgical stapling apparatus configured to perform stapling and/or cutting operations on a target tissue of a patient. The surgical stapling apparatus comprises of a mode selection switch to place the apparatus in either a clamping operational phase or a deployment operational phase. In the clamping operational phase, various clamp components are operated to facilitate loading of surgical staples into the stapling apparatus, if not preloaded, placement of the stapling apparatus to a target surgical site, and clamping of target tissue to be stapled and/or cut. In the deployment operational phase, various deployment components are operated to staple and/or cut the target tissue to one or more desired distance intervals to achieve the desired outcome for the surgical procedure. | 06-26-2014 |
20140135832 | STAPLE TRAP FOR SURGICAL STAPLER - An exemplary staple holder of a surgical stapler may include a cavity defined therein, staples held within that cavity; an upper surface; apertures defined through the upper surface through which staples are deployable, at least one wedge movable within the cavity, and at least one staple trap including a strip and arms extending from and bent relative to the strip, where at least one arm resides in a neutral position directly underneath a corresponding aperture. | 05-15-2014 |
20140041191 | STAPLER CARTRIDGE WITH STAPLES FRANGIBLY AFFIXED THERETO - A surgical apparatus may include a cartridge, and surgical staples affixed to and frangibly separable from that cartridge. A method for surgical stapling utilizing that apparatus may include providing at least one wedge; and moving at least one wedge into the cartridge, where that moving deforms and then shears from the cartridge at least one staple. A method of manufacturing an apparatus for use with a surgical stapler may include fabricating a cartridge configured to be received by the surgical stapler; fabricating staples; and fixing the staples to the cartridge. | 02-13-2014 |
20140033674 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SURGICAL STAPLES - One exemplary process for manufacturing a surgical apparatus may include providing a flat, generally-planar strip of biocompatible material; cutting the strip to produce a feeder belt with at least one lateral edge, and staples affixed to the feeder belt in proximity to at least one lateral edge, where the staples and feeder belt are substantially aligned along a first plane; and bending at least one staple out of the first plane, while the feeder belt remains in the first plane. Another exemplary process for manufacturing a surgical apparatus may include providing a flat, generally-planar strip of biocompatible material; cutting that strip to produce a feeder belt with edges, and staples affixed to different edges of the feeder belt; and coining at least one staple after the cutting. | 02-06-2014 |
20140005779 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEART VALVE SURGERY | 01-02-2014 |
20130338684 | MITRAL VALVE TREATMENT - An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a guide catheter including a clip channel, at least one hook channel, and at least one sling channel defined therein; a clip applier movable within the clip channel, wherein the clip applier holds at least one clip; at least one hook movable within a corresponding hook channel; and at least one sling movable within a corresponding sling channel. An exemplary surgical method for treating a mitral valve may include providing a guide catheter; a clip applier held by the guide catheter, and a clip held by the clip applier; introducing the distal end of the guide catheter into the left atrium; engaging the anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral valve with the clip; closing the clip; and disengaging the clip applier from the clip, whereby the clip remains in the mitral valve. Another exemplary surgical method for treating a valve may include providing a guide catheter; a clip applier held by the guide catheter, and at least one clip held by the clip applier; advancing the guide catheter into proximity to the valve; and applying at least one clip substantially in the middle of the valve to create two orifices, one on each side of the clip. | 12-19-2013 |
20130306706 | SURGICAL STAPLER WITH ANGLED FEEDER BELTS - An exemplary surgical stapler may include a staple holder, including an upper surface with two substantially-planar angled surfaces positioned lateral to and angled relative to each other. The staple holder may include staple channels within it, and each staple channel may open to a corresponding angled surface. The stapler may also include at least one feeder belt extending into the staple holder and staples frangibly affixed to the feeder belt. Generally, at least one staple is held within a corresponding staple channel of the staple holder. | 11-21-2013 |
20130306705 | FEEDER BELT FOR TRUE MULTI-FIRE SURGICAL STAPLER - An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt configured as a continuous loop; staples fixed to and shearable from the continuous feeder belt; apertures defined in the continuous feeder belt; and a gear positioned at the distal end of the feeder belt within the continuous loop, where the gear engages at least one of the apertures to move the continuous feeder belt around the gear. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt; a plurality of staples fixed to and shearable from the continuous feeder belt; and a plurality of teeth defined on the continuous feeder belt. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include a continuous belt assembly that has a flexible rack with two ends, and a feeder belt with two ends, each end of the feeder belt connected to a corresponding end of the flexible rack; and staples fixed to and shearable from the continuous feeder belt. | 11-21-2013 |
20130282009 | ENDOSCOPIC VEIN HARVESTING SYSTEM - A vein harvesting medical device designed and constructed to harvest a vein in a less invasive surgical procedure. The vein harvesting device includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector operated by the control features in the handle assembly to gather a targeted vein and remove side branches from the targeted vein for harvesting. | 10-24-2013 |
20130277410 | SAFETY LOCKOUT FOR SURGICAL STAPLER - A surgical stapling and cutting device is constructed with a knife safety lockout element to prevent a knife element from cutting tissue if staples cannot be applied first to the tissue prior to being cut. The surgical stapling and cutting device comprises of a staple holder for holding a staple cartridge, an anvil movably coupled to the staple holder for opposing and deforming staples, a knife safety lockout element for blocking a knife element from being deployed, and a safety spring element for activating or biasing the knife safety lockout element into an active state to block the knife element from being deployed. | 10-24-2013 |
20130240604 | SURGICAL STAPLER WITH CARTRIDGE-ADJUSTABLE CLAMP GAP - An exemplary surgical apparatus for treating tissue may include an anvil; a jaw pivotally connected to the anvil; and a first cartridge detachably connected to the anvil, holding staples of a first size; where a first clamp gap between the anvil and first cartridge is set by the connection between the first cartridge and jaw. An exemplary cartridge for a surgical stapler may include a cartridge housing; a plurality of staples held within the cartridge housing; and a sled slidable within, and retained by, the cartridge housing, including a central platform, at least one wedge connected to the central platform, and a knife rotatable relative to the central platform. | 09-19-2013 |
20130240603 | TRUE MULTI-FIRE ENDOCUTTER - An exemplary surgical endocutter may include a staple holder; at least one feeder belt having two lateral edges, at least part of at least one feeder belt extending into the staple holder; and staples, wherein each said staple may include a first end frangibly affixed to a corresponding feeder belt, wherein each first end is affixed to the feeder belt at a location laterally spaced from the longitudinal centerline of the feeder belt, and a second free end; and wherein the staples form at least one row, each row including at least two said staples; wherein staples in least one row are staggered relative to said staples in at least one other row. Another exemplary surgical endocutter may include a feeder belt; staples frangibly connected to the feeder belt; and at least one wedge movable relative to the staples in a direction substantially longitudinal relative to the feeder belt; wherein at least one wedge both directly engages a plurality of staples and disconnects a plurality of staples from the feeder belt in a single continuous motion of the wedge. | 09-19-2013 |
20130233908 | ACTIVE WEDGE AND I-BEAM FOR SURGICAL STAPLER - A surgical stapling device designed and constructed for cutting and stapling tissues in a surgical procedure. The surgical stapling device includes an actuated wedge to deploy staples. The actuated wedge is put into an active state by a first wedge actuation element. In the active state, the actuated wedge is ready to engage and deploy staples in a staple holder. The actuated wedge is put into a neutral state by a second wedge actuation element. In the neutral state, the actuated wedge disengages with the staples and does not deploy the staples. The surgical stapling device includes an I-beam that acts to maintain a clamp gap between the anvil and staple holder of the surgical stapling device to ensure proper stapling of tissue. | 09-12-2013 |
20130178878 | SURGICAL STAPLE FOR ANASTOMOSIS - A surgical staple for connecting two tubular tissue structures may include a substantially rectangular base having a first edge and a second edge substantially parallel to one another, and a third edge substantially perpendicular to the first and said second edges; and may also include at least three deformable tines extending from the first and second edges of said base; where no tine that extends from the first edge may be positioned at substantially the same distance from the third edge as any said tine that extends from the second edge; and where deformation of the tines secures the tubular tissue structures together. | 07-11-2013 |
20130175316 | MULTIPLE-USE SURGICAL STAPLER - A surgical apparatus may include an end effector comprising a staple holder including a housing therein, and an anvil connected to the staple holder, where the end effector is movable between an open configuration and a clamped configuration; a feeder belt having two lateral edges, at least part of which is held within the housing; a plurality of staples, where each staple has a first end frangibly connected to the feeder belt and a second, free end; where at least one staple is oriented relative to the corresponding feeder belt in a direction angled relative to the transverse direction; and wherein the staples form at least one row, each row including at least two staples; and an overtube movable relative to the staple holder and anvil, where motion of the overtube relative to the staple holder and anvil both clamps the staple holder and anvil together and clamps the feeder belt in place relative to the housing. Such an end effector may be utilized by inserting it into the body of a patient through an opening; clamping the end effector; closing a plurality of staples into a closed configuration; and separating each closed staples from the corresponding feeder belt. | 07-11-2013 |
20130140343 | TRUE MULTI-FIRE LINEAR CUTTER - One exemplary surgical apparatus may include an anvil assembly to which a staple holder assembly detachably connected; feeder belts positioned at least partially within the staple holder assembly; staples separably attached to each feeder belt; a wedge assembly slidable within and along the staple holder assembly, the wedge assembly including an engagement feature; and a deployment handle, where, upon closure of the anvil assembly and staple holder assembly relative to one another, the deployment handle engages the engagement feature; where the deployment handle is movable along the anvil assembly to drive the wedge assembly relative to the staple holder assembly, feeder belts and staples in order to deform at least one staple to a closed state and separate at least one closed staple from the corresponding feeder belt. One exemplary surgical method may include providing a surgical stapler having an anvil and a staple holder separably connected to the anvil, where the staple holder holds feeder belts and staples separably connected to each feeder belt; deploying, at least twice, a plurality of staples from the staple holder; and then removing the staple holder from the anvil. | 06-06-2013 |
20130126585 | STAPLE AND FEEDER BELT CONFIGURATIONS FOR SURGICAL STAPLER - One exemplary surgical apparatus may include at least one carrier, staples fixed to a corresponding carrier, and a feeder belt to which at least one carrier is frangibly connected. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt, a first plurality of staples fixed directly to and frangibly separable from the feeder belt; a plurality of extension arms extending at least partially in the lateral direction away from the feeder belt; and a second plurality of staples each fixed to an extension arm at a location spaced laterally apart from the feeder belt. | 05-23-2013 |
20120097731 | Method of Utilizing A Driverless Surgical Stapler - An exemplary method for treating an animal body may include receiving a driverless surgical stapler that includes a staple holder, staples positioned within that staple holder, and at least one wedge; and sliding at least one wedge relative to the staples to directly contact at least one staple. | 04-26-2012 |
20120091183 | Method of Fabricating a Stiff Anvil for a Surgical Instrument - A method of manufacturing a surgical apparatus may include fabricating an anvil that includes an insert composed of a first material, the insert located within a cavity in a body composed of a second material, where the first material and the second material have different properties. | 04-19-2012 |
20120080497 | Feeder Belt and Staples for Surgical Stapler - One exemplary surgical apparatus may include at least one carrier, staples fixed to a corresponding carrier, and a feeder belt to which at least one carrier is frangibly connected. | 04-05-2012 |
20120080494 | Method for Surgical Stapling - An exemplary surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient, may include providing an endocutter having a knife, a staple holder along which the knife is slidable, feeder belts located on each side of the knife, staples having a first size, those staples integral with and breakable from at least one feeder belt, and staples having a second size different from the first size, those staples integral with and breakable from at least one feeder belt; engaging tissue of the patient with the staple holder; deploying at least two staples having a first size; disengaging tissue of the patient from the staple holder; once again engaging tissue of the patient with the same staple holder; and deploying at least two staples having a second size. | 04-05-2012 |
20120074202 | Surgical Stapler with Angled Feeder Belts - An exemplary surgical staple may include a staple holder including an upper surface with two substantially-planar angled surfaces positioned lateral to and angled relative to each other; staple channels within the staple holder, each opening to a corresponding angled surface; at least one feeder belt extending into the staple holder; and staples frangibly affixed to at least one feeder belt, wherein at least one staple is held within a corresponding staple channel. | 03-29-2012 |
20120061446 | Method for Treating Tissue With an Articulated Surgical Instrument - One example of a surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include providing a surgical instrument that includes a handle; a shaft extending from the handle, an end effector connected to the shaft, where the shaft includes a lumen defined therethrough and an articulated region; and at least one feeder belt extending through the lumen of the shaft into the end effector, where the feeder belt includes at least one staple frangibly united therewith; inserting the end effector into the body of a patient; orienting the end effector relative to tissue to be treated within the body of the patient and relative to a remainder of the shaft; actuating the end effector to staple tissue; and removing the end effector from the body of the patient. | 03-15-2012 |
20110309127 | Surgical Method Utilizing a True Multiple-Fire Surgical Stapler - An exemplary surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include having an endocutter having an end effector; inserting the end effector into the body of a patient through an opening; engaging tissue with the end effector; stapling tissue along two staple lines with the end effector; cutting tissue between the staple lines with the end effector; releasing the tissue from the end effector; and repeating the engaging, stapling, cutting and releasing within the body of the patient on tissue at a different location within the body of the patient while maintaining the end effector within the body of the patient. Another exemplary surgical method of treating a plurality of discrete tissue structures within the body of a patient in which an incision has been made may include having an endocutter that holds a plurality of staples; inserting the distal end of the endocutter through the incision in the patient; and transecting a plurality of the discrete tissue structures with the distal end of the endocutter, without withdrawing the distal end of the endocutter through the incision in the patient and without inserting additional staples into the endocutter. | 12-22-2011 |
20110284613 | True Multi-Fire Endocutter - An exemplary surgical endocutter may include a staple holder; at least one feeder belt having two lateral edges, at least part of at least one feeder belt extending into the staple holder; and staples, wherein each said staple may include a first end frangibly affixed to a corresponding feeder belt, wherein each first end is affixed to the feeder belt at a location laterally spaced from the longitudinal centerline of the feeder belt, and a second free end; and wherein the staples form at least one row, each row including at least two said staples; wherein staples in least one row are staggered relative to said staples in at least one other row. Another exemplary surgical endocutter may include a feeder belt; staples frangibly connected to the feeder belt; and at least one wedge movable relative to the staples in a direction substantially longitudinal relative to the feeder belt; wherein at least one wedge both directly engages a plurality of staples and disconnects a plurality of staples from the feeder belt in a single continuous motion of the wedge. | 11-24-2011 |
20110278343 | Clamping of Hybrid Surgical Instrument - One example of a surgical instrument may include a staple holder; staples held by the staple holder; an anvil, where at least one of the staple holder and anvil is movable relative to the other; and at least one electrode located on a surface of the staple holder and/or anvil. Another example of a surgical instrument may include a staple holder; staples held by the staple holder; an anvil, where at least one of the staple holder and the anvil is movable relative to the other between an open configuration and a closed configuration; where an adjustable gap exists between the staple holder and the anvil in the closed configuration; and at least one electrode located on a surface of at least one of the staple holder and/or anvil. An exemplary method may include providing a surgical instrument including an end effector; clamping tissue with the end effector; selecting stapling or electrocautery; and stapling or performing electrocautery accordingly. | 11-17-2011 |
20110210157 | Surgical Method for Stapling Tissue - An exemplary surgical method of treating tissue may include possessing a surgical tool that has at least one movable feeder belt that includes staples frangibly connected thereto, where at least one staple is oriented relative to the feeder belt in a direction angled relative to the transverse direction; placing the surgical tool adjacent to tissue; deforming at least one staple into tissue; frangibly separating at least one deformed staple from the feeder belt; advancing the feeder belt; and repeating the placing, deploying and separating. Another exemplary surgical method of treating tissue of a patient may include holding a cartridgeless surgical tool that includes staples; stapling tissue with staples in response to a single actuation of the surgical tool; and repeating the stapling at least once. | 09-01-2011 |
20110106150 | Surgical Method Utilizing a Soft-Tipped Anvil - A surgical method for treating a tissue structure having a wall and a lumen may include providing a substantially rigid anvil and a flexible tip affixed to and extending from the distal end of that anvil; making an incision in the wall of the tissue structure; inserting the flexible tip and at least a portion of the rigid anvil through the incision into the lumen of the tissue structure; and deforming at least one connector, introduced from outside the wall of the tissue structure, against the portion of the rigid anvil located within the lumen of the tissue structure. | 05-05-2011 |
20110101069 | Surgical Stapler with Direct Sled to Staple Contact - An exemplary surgical stapler may include a staple holder, staples positioned within the staple holder, and at least one structure slidable within the staple holder to contact directly at least one staple, where that direct contact deploys at least one staple from the staple holder. Another exemplary surgical stapler may include a staple holder, an anvil movably connected to the staple holder, staples positioned within the staple holder; and a sled slidable within the staple holder to contact directly at least one staple, where that direct contact urges at least one staple out of the staple holder and against the anvil. | 05-05-2011 |
20100230464 | Driverless Surgical Stapler - An exemplary driverless surgical stapler may include a staple holder; staples positioned within that staple holder; and at least one wedge, where each wedge is slidable to directly contact at least one staple, where that contact causes deployment of each contacted staple. An exemplary surgical method may include providing a driverless surgical stapler that has a staple holder, staples positioned within the staple holder, and at least one wedge; and sliding at least one wedge relative to the staples to directly contact at least one staple. | 09-16-2010 |
20100204717 | Surgical Device for Multiple Clip Application - An example of a surgical clip applier may include a housing with a passage defined therein, the passage having a longitudinal centerline; a plurality of clips held within the passage, each clip lying in a plane angled relative to the longitudinal centerline of the passage; a pusher slot defined in the housing; and a pusher slidable along the pusher slot, wherein distal motion of the pusher urges the distalmost clip in the passage out of the passage in a direction angled relative to the longitudinal centerline of the passage. Another example of a surgical clip applier may include a first jaw having a control slot defined therein; a second jaw having a control slot defined therein; and a control arm extending into the control slot of each jaw; wherein the control arm is movable along the control slots in a first direction to close the jaws and is movable along the control slots in a second direction to open the jaws. | 08-12-2010 |
20100155453 | Surgical Staples Frangibly Connected to Staple Holding Strip - A surgical tool may include a staple holding strip, and surgical staples frangibly connected to an edge of that staple holding strip. | 06-24-2010 |
20100069934 | Anastomosis Method Utilizing Tool with Fluid-Driven Actuator - A method of performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel, each having a circumferential wall and a lumen therethrough, may include providing an anastomosis tool including a tissue effector and a fluid-driven actuator operationally connected to that tissue effector; connecting the fluid-driven actuator to an energy source; placing an end of the graft vessel in proximity to the side of the target vessel; and actuating the fluid-driven actuator to connect the end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel. | 03-18-2010 |
20090254121 | Vascular Closure with Multi-Pronged Clip - A medical device for closing an opening in tissue may include a staple including a plurality of tines, where the staple is deformable from an initial configuration to a splayed configuration and then a closed configuration and a shuttle fixed to the staple, where the shuttle includes a weakened area proximal to the shuttle. A method for closing an opening in tissue of a patient with that medical device may include moving the staple to a location in proximity to the opening; plastically deforming the staple to a splayed configuration; penetrating at least one of the tines into tissue in proximity to the opening; plastically deforming the staple to a closed configuration; and fracturing said shuttle at the weakened area, whereby the staple and a fragment of the shuttle fixed to the staple remain in the patient. | 10-08-2009 |
20090134198 | Surgical Method for Stapling Tissue - An exemplary method for surgically stapling tissue may include providing a surgical stapler that includes at least one staple, a pusher configured to hold at least one staple, a splay arm movable relative to the pusher, where that splay arm includes two spaced-apart splay tips, and a driver movable relative to the pusher; splaying at least one staple by plastically deforming the distalmost staple against the splay tips; and after splaying, closing at least one staple by plastically deforming the distalmost staple against the splay tips. Another exemplary method for surgically stapling tissue may include providing a surgical stapler comprising a plurality of staples, a pusher configured to hold the staples, a splay arm movable relative to the pusher, a driver movable relative to the pusher, wherein the pusher, splay arm and driver are initially in a first configuration relative to one another; splaying at least one staple to a splayed state; after splaying, closing at least one splayed staple, after which the pusher, splay arm and driver are in a second configuration relative to one another; and resetting the stapler to the first configuration of the pusher, splay arm and driver; where the splaying and closing each plastically deform at least one staple. | 05-28-2009 |
20090093826 | Patent Foramen Ovale Closure System - A tool for closing an opening in tissue may include a catheter, a clasp applicator positioned substantially at the distal end of the catheter; and at least one clasp held by the clasp applicator, where the clasp may include a plurality of tines and be plastically splayable by the clasp applicator. A patent foramen ovale in heart tissue may by closed by, for example, advancing that exemplary clasp applicator through the patient's vasculature to a location in proximity to the patent foramen ovale, anchoring the clasp applicator with respect to the patent foramen ovale, splaying the clasp, advancing the splayed clasp into contact with tissue; closing the clasp, and removing the clasp applicator from the heart. | 04-09-2009 |
20090090766 | Intravascular Stapling Tool - An intravascular stapler may include a handle; a catheter attached to the handle; a stapler head attached to the catheter; and a staples held by the stapler head, wherein the stapler head is configured to sequentially deploy staples. An intravascular stapler may include a reciprocating driver within the stapler head, wherein the driver reciprocates back and forth substantially along a first axis, and wherein the staples are advanceable substantially along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. An intravascular stapler may include internal anvils held by and movable within the stapler head, each internal anvil positioned in proximity to and movable in tandem with a corresponding staple. | 04-09-2009 |
20090072006 | Surgical Stapler With Splaying Mechanism - One example of a surgical stapler may include a pusher, at least one generally planar staple, where the pusher holds at least one staple, and a splay arm that includes spaced-apart splay fingers extending generally distally, where at least one splay finger includes a splay tip extending therefrom, and where relative motion of said pusher and said splay fingers causes said at least one said splay tip to engage and then splay at least one said staple. Another example of a surgical stapler may include a plurality of staples positioned out of contact with one another; a pusher that engages each staple; and at least one splay tip, each splay tip configured to contact a distal surface of the distalmost staple. Another example of a surgical stapler may include a plurality of staples, a pusher that holds the staples, the pusher having a longitudinal axis and being slidable longitudinally both proximally and distally substantially along that longitudinal axis, where the pusher is substantially constrained against motion away from the longitudinal axis; and a splay arm movable in a direction away from the longitudinal axis, from a position in which the splay arm contacts one staple to a position in which the splay arm no longer contacts that staple. | 03-19-2009 |
20090065552 | Endocutter With Staple Feed - A surgical endocutter may include an end effector, at least one feeder belt that extends at least partially into the end effector; and two or more staples, where each staple has a first end frangibly connected to a corresponding feeder belt and a second, free end, and where the staples form at least one row. The endocutter may be used to treat a patient by inserting the end effector into the body of a patient through an opening such as a trocar port, engaging tissue with the end effector, stapling tissue along two staple lines with the end effector; cutting tissue between the staple lines with the end effector, releasing the tissue from the end effector, and repeating the holding, stapling and engaging on tissue at a different location within the body of the patient without removing the end effector from within the body of the patient. | 03-12-2009 |
20090039138 | Vascular Closure System With Splayable Staple - A medical device for closing an opening in tissue may include a staple with a plurality of tines, where the staple is deformable from an initial configuration to a splayed configuration and then to a closed configuration; a cradle that includes a distal stop and a proximal stop proximal to the distal stop extending therefrom, where the cradle holds a portion of the staple between the proximal stop and the distal stop, and where the proximal stop and distal stop are spaced apart from one another a fixed distance substantially equal to the thickness of the portion of the staple held therebetween, where that portion of the staple substantially contacts both stops in the initial configuration; and a housing, where the cradle is movable relative to that housing. | 02-12-2009 |
20080217376 | Surgical Stapler - A method for surgically stapling tissue may include providing staples in a first configuration, plastically deforming at least one staple to a second configuration different from the first configuration; and then plastically deforming at least one staple to a third configuration different from the first configuration and the second configuration. The deformation of a staple from the first configuration to the second configuration may be performed by splaying the staple. The staple may be splayed by a splay arm or other suitable structure or mechanism. | 09-11-2008 |