Surgical Staple Assembly
A surgical staple assembly is disclosed and can include a surgical staple. The surgical staple assembly can be moved between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the surgical staple can be in an original shape. Moreover, in the second configuration, the surgical staple can be in a deformed configuration.
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The present disclosure relates generally to surgical staples. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices for bending surgical staples made from shape memory metal alloys.
BACKGROUNDSurgical staples can be used to close surgical wounds and other wounds. Further, surgical staples can be used to treat certain spinal deformities, such as scoliosis. Some surgical staples can be made from shape memory metal alloys. A surgical staple made from a shape memory metal alloy can be deformed from an original shape and installed in a patient. Then, heat can be applied to the surgical staple to return the deformed staple to the original shape. When using multiple surgical staples, it may be desirable to bend the surgical staples to the same shape before installation in a patient.
A surgical staple assembly is disclosed and can include a surgical staple. The surgical staple assembly can be moved between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the surgical staple can be in an original shape. Moreover, in the second configuration, the surgical staple can be in a deformed configuration.
In another embodiment, a surgical staple assembly is disclosed and can include a superior support plate and an inferior support plate that can be spaced from the superior support plate. The surgical staple assembly can also include a surgical staple that can be placed between the superior support plate and the inferior support plate. Further, the surgical staple assembly can be moved between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the surgical staple can be in an original shape. In the second configuration, the surgical staple can be in a deformed configuration.
In yet another embodiment, a method of treating a patient is disclosed and can include retrieving a surgical staple assembly that can have a surgical staple. The surgical staple assembly can be moved between a first configuration in which the surgical staple is in an original shape and a second configuration in which the surgical staple is deformed. The method can also include moving the surgical staple assembly to the second configuration.
In still another embodiment, a kit is disclosed and can include a plurality of surgical staple assemblies. Each surgical staple assembly can include a surgical staple. Further, each surgical staple assembly can bend each surgical staple to substantially the same shape. The kit can include different types and sizes of surgical staples. For example, the kit can include four-tine surgical staples, two-tine surgical staples, or a combination thereof.
Description of a Surgical Staple AssemblyReferring initially to
As shown in
In a particular embodiment, the support plates 200, 300, the bending arms 400, 500, and the bending wedge 700 can be made from one or more rigid materials. For example, the materials can be metal containing materials, polymer materials, or composite materials that include metals, polymers, or combinations of metals and polymers.
In a particular embodiment, the metal containing materials can be metals. Further, the metal containing materials can be ceramics. Also, the metals can be pure metals or metal alloys. The pure metals can include titanium. Moreover, the metal alloys can include stainless steel, a cobalt-chrome-molybdenum alloy, e.g., ASTM F-999 or ASTM F-75, a titanium alloy, or a combination thereof.
The polymer materials can include polyurethane materials, polyolefin materials, polyaryletherketone (PAEK) materials, polyimide materials, or a combination thereof. Further, the polyolefin materials can include polypropylene, polyethylene, halogenated polyolefin, fluoropolyolefin, or a combination thereof. The polyaryletherketone (PAEK) materials can include polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyetherketoneetherketoneketone (PEKEKK), or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the support plates 200, 300, the bending arms 400, 500, and the bending wedge 700 can be made from any other substantially rigid materials.
Further, in a particular embodiment, the surgical staple 600 can be made from a biocompatible, shape memory metal alloy. For example, the surgical staple 600 can be made from a shape memory metal alloy of titanium and nickel, e.g., nitinol. Alternatively, the surgical staple 60 can be made from a biocompatible, shape memory polymer.
In a particular embodiment, the components of the surgical staple assembly 100 can be manufactured using a machining process, a forging process, a forming process, an injection molding process, a metal injection molding process, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the components of the surgical staple assembly can be manufactured using another process well known in the art.
Description of the Support PlatesReferring now to
As shown in
The superior bending wedge guide 230 can also include a protrusion 238 extending therefrom. The protrusion 238 can be part of an audible clicking mechanism, e.g., a clicking mechanism similar to a dog training clicker, which can be incorporated in the superior bending wedge guide 230. Accordingly, during operation of the surgical staple assembly 100, described herein, the protrusion 238 can be contacted by the bending wedge 700. Further, when the button 238 is contacted, a clicking noise can be generated. The clicking noise can serve as a signal to a surgeon that a surgical staple 600 within the surgical staple assembly 100 is fully deformed, or deployed.
As shown in
As shown in
The inferior bending wedge guide 330 can also include a protrusion 338 extending therefrom. The protrusion 338 can be part of an audible clicking mechanism, e.g., a clicking mechanism similar to a dog training clicker, which can be incorporated in the inferior bending wedge guide 330. Accordingly, during operation of the surgical staple assembly 100, described herein, the protrusion 338 can be contacted by the bending wedge 700. Further, when the protrusion 338 is contacted, a clicking noise can be generated. The clicking noise can serve as a signal to a surgeon that a surgical staple 600 within the surgical staple assembly 100 is fully deformed, or deployed.
Referring to
As illustrated in
An inferior post 418 can extend from the inferior surface 402 of the first bending arm 400 near the distal end 410 of the first bending arm 400. In a particular embodiment, the inferior post 418 can extend substantially perpendicular from the inferior surface 404. Moreover, the inferior post 418 can be substantially co-linear and aligned with the superior post 414. The inferior post 418 can also include an inferior end cap 420.
In a particular embodiment, the superior post 414 of the first bending arm 400 can engage the first hole 206 in the superior support plate 200 (
Also, in a particular embodiment, the inferior post 418 of the first bending arm 400 can engage the first hole 306 in the inferior support plate 300 (
The first bending arm 400 can also include a superior rib 430 and an inferior rib 432. As shown, the superior rib 430 and the inferior rib 432 can extend from the outer surface 408 of the first bending arm 400. In a particular embodiment, the ribs 430, 432 are substantially parallel to each other, the superior surface 402, and the inferior surface 404. Further, the ribs 430, 432 can be spaced from each other a distance that corresponds to a width of a two-tine staple, described below. As such, a two-tine staple can be assembled with the surgical staple assembly 100 in lieu of the four-tine staple 600, described herein. In particular, the two-tine staple can be slid between the ribs 430, 432 and the ribs 430, 432 can maintain the two-tine staple near a center of the first bending arm 400.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
An inferior post 518 can extend from the inferior surface 502 of the second bending arm 500 near the proximal end 510 of the second bending arm 500. In a particular embodiment, the inferior post 518 can extend substantially perpendicular from the inferior surface 504. Moreover, the inferior post 518 can be substantially co-linear and aligned with the superior post 514. The inferior post 518 can also include an inferior end cap 520.
In a particular embodiment, the superior post 514 of the second bending arm 500 can engage the second hole 208 in the superior support plate 200 (
Also, in a particular embodiment, the inferior post 518 of the second bending arm 500 can engage the second hole 308 in the inferior support plate 300 (
The second bending arm 500 can also include a superior rib 530 and an inferior rib 532. As shown, the superior rib 530 and the inferior rib 532 can extend from the outer surface 508 of the second bending arm 500. In a particular embodiment, the ribs 530, 532 are substantially parallel to each other, the superior surface 502, and the inferior surface 504. Further, the ribs 530, 532 can be spaced from each other a distance that corresponds to a width of a two-tine staple, described below. As such, a two-tine staple can be assembled with the surgical staple assembly 100 in lieu of the four-tine staple 600, described herein. In particular, the two-tine staple can be slid between the ribs 530, 532 and the ribs 530, 532 can maintain the two-tine staple near a center of the second bending arm 500.
Description of the Surgical StapleReferring to
As shown in
When the surgical staple assembly 100 is assembled, as illustrated in
Accordingly, as the bending arms 400, 500 are pushed outward by the bending wedge 700, the bending arms 400, 500 can bend the tines 604, 606, 608, 610 of the surgical staple 600. More specifically, as the first bending arm 400 is pushed outward, the first bending arm 400 can bend the first superior tine 604 and the first inferior tine 608 of the surgical staple 600. Moreover, as the second bending arm 500 is pushed outward, the second bending arm 500 can bend the second superior tine 606 and the second inferior tine 610 of the surgical staple 600.
Description of the Bending WedgeAs shown in
Referring now to
In a particular embodiment, the surgical staple assembly 100 is movable between a first configuration, shown in
The surgical staple assembly 100 can be moved between the first configuration and the second configuration by sliding the bending wedge 700 relative to the superior support plate (not shown in
The superior bending wedge stop (not shown in
A surgical staple assembly 1906 can be retrieved from the box 1902 and moved to the second configuration, described above, in order to deform the surgical staple 1908. Thereafter, the surgical staple 1908 within the surgical staple assembly 1906 can be retrieved from the surgical staple assembly 1906 and inserted within a patient. As described above, each surgical staple 1908 can be bent to the same shape prior to insertion within the patient.
In a particular embodiment, the set of surgical staple assemblies 1900 can include four-tine surgical staples, two-tine surgical staples, or a combination thereof. Further, the set of surgical staple assemblies 1900 can include surgical staples having various sizes and the different sized staple assemblies can be color coded by size.
Description of a Method of Using a Surgical Staple AssemblyReferring to
Moving to block 2004, the surgical staple can be retrieved from the surgical staple assembly. Further, at block 2006, the surgical staple can be installed. For example, the surgical staple can be installed in a patient, e.g., in a bone of the patient or in a fleshy or meaty part of the patient. At block 2008, the surgical staple can be returned to the original shape of the surgical staple, e.g., the shape of the surgical staple before application of the compressive force to the surgical staple assembly. In a particular embodiment, the surgical staple can be made from a memory metal alloy and the surgical staple can be returned to the original shape by applying heat to the surgical staple.
Continuing to decision step 2010, it can be determined whether another surgical staple is required, e.g., by a doctor or surgeon. If another surgical staple is required, the method can return to block 2000 and continue as described herein. On the other hand, if another surgical staple is not required, the method can end at state 2012.
Description of an Alternative Embodiment of a Surgical StapleReferring to
As shown in
In a particular embodiment, the four-tine surgical staple 600, described above, can be removed from the surgical staple assembly 100 and replaced with the two-tine surgical staple 2100. As shown in
Specifically, the inner surface 2112 of the first tine 2104 can be adjacent to the outer surface 408 of the first bending arm 400. Also, the inner surface 2116 of the second tine 2106 can be adjacent to the outer surface 508 of the second bending arm 400. Moreover, the first tine 2104 can be disposed between the ribs 430, 432 of the first bending arm 400 and the ribs 430, 432 can engage and support the first tine 2104 along the first bending arm 400. The second tine 2106 can be disposed between the ribs 530, 532 of the second bending arm 500 and the ribs 530, 532 can engage and support the second tine 2106 along the second bending arm 500.
Accordingly, as the bending arms 400, 500 are pushed outward by the bending wedge 700, as described herein, the bending arms 400, 500 can bend the tines 2104, 2106 of the surgical staple 2100. More specifically, as the first bending arm 400 is pushed outward, the first bending arm 400 can bend the first tine 2104 of the surgical staple 2100. Moreover, as the second bending arm 500 is pushed outward, the second bending arm 500 can bend the second tine 2106 of the surgical staple 2100.
CONCLUSIONWith the configuration of structure described above, the surgical staple assembly provides a device that can be used to bend a surgical staple to a deformed configuration prior to installation in a patient. Further, the surgical staple assembly can be used to consistently bend a staple to the same shape. When multiple surgical staple assemblies are used, each surgical staple within each surgical staple assembly can be bent to the same shape.
The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.
Claims
1. A surgical staple assembly, comprising:
- a surgical staple, wherein the surgical staple assembly is movable between a first configuration wherein the surgical staple is in an original shape and a second configuration wherein the surgical staple is in a deformed configuration.
2. The surgical staple assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first bending arm; and
- a second bending arm, wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm are movable to deform the surgical staple.
3. The surgical staple assembly of claim 2, wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm are disposed proximate to the surgical staple and wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm are configured to bend the staple outward.
4. The surgical staple assembly of claim 3, wherein the surgical staple comprises:
- a first superior tine;
- a second superior tine opposite the first superior tine;
- a first inferior tine opposite the first superior tine; and
- a second inferior tine opposite the first inferior tine.
5. The surgical staple assembly of claim 4, wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm are disposed between the first superior tine, the first inferior tine, the second superior tine, and the second inferior tine.
6. The surgical staple assembly of claim 5, wherein the first bending arm is configured to bend the first superior tine and the first inferior tine.
7. The surgical staple assembly of claim 6, wherein the first bending arm is configured to bend the first superior tine and the first inferior tine outward.
8. The surgical staple assembly of claim 5, wherein the second bending arm is configured to bend the second superior tine and the second inferior tine.
9. The surgical staple assembly of claim 8, wherein the second bending arm is configured to bend the second superior tine and the second inferior tine outward.
10. The surgical staple assembly of claim 3, wherein the surgical staple comprises:
- a first tine; and
- a second tine opposite the first tine.
11. The surgical staple assembly of claim 10, wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm are disposed between the first tine, and the second tine.
12. The surgical staple assembly of claim 11, wherein the first bending arm is configured to bend the first tine.
13. The surgical staple assembly of claim 12, wherein the first bending arm is configured to bend the first tine outward.
14. The surgical staple assembly of claim 12, wherein the second bending arm is configured to bend the second superior tine and the second inferior tine.
15. The surgical staple assembly of claim 14, wherein the second bending arm is configured to bend the second tine outward.
16. The surgical staple assembly of claim 10, wherein the first bending arm comprises a rib configured to support the first tine.
17. The surgical staple assembly of claim 16, wherein the second bending arm comprises a rib configured to support the second tine.
18. The surgical staple assembly of claim 2, further comprising:
- a superior support plate; and
- an inferior support plate distanced from the superior support plate, wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm are rotatably disposed between the superior support plate and the inferior support plate.
19. The surgical staple assembly of claim 18, wherein the superior support plate is formed with a first hole and a second hole and wherein the inferior support plate is formed with a first hole and a second hole.
20. The surgical staple assembly of claim 19, wherein the first bending arm comprises:
- a superior post configured to engage the first hole within the superior support plate; and
- an inferior post configured to engage the first hole within the inferior support plate.
21. The surgical staple assembly of claim 20, wherein the second bending arm comprises:
- a superior post configured to engage the second hole within the superior support plate; and
- an inferior post configured to engage the second hole within the inferior support plate.
22. The surgical staple assembly of claim 2, further comprising:
- a bending wedge configured to be placed between the first bending arm and the second bending arm.
23. The surgical staple assembly of claim 22, wherein the bending wedge is configured to be moved into the surgical staple assembly.
24. The surgical staple assembly of claim 23, wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm rotate outward as the bending wedge is moved into the surgical staple assembly.
25. The surgical staple assembly of claim 24, wherein the surgical staple is deformed as the bending wedge is moved into the surgical staple assembly.
26. A surgical staple assembly, comprising:
- a superior support plate;
- an inferior support plate spaced from the superior support plate; and
- a surgical staple configured to be placed between the superior support plate and the inferior support plate, wherein the surgical staple assembly is movable between a first configuration wherein the surgical staple is in an original shape and a second configuration wherein the surgical staple is in a deformed configuration.
27. The surgical staple assembly of claim 26, further comprising:
- a first bending arm configured to be disposed between the superior support plate and the inferior support plate.
28. The surgical staple assembly of claim 27, wherein the first bending arm is configured to rotate between the superior support plate and the inferior support plate and deform the surgical staple.
29. The surgical staple assembly of claim 27, further comprising:
- a second bending arm configured to be disposed between the superior support plate and the inferior support plate.
30. The surgical staple assembly of claim 29, wherein the second bending arm is configured to rotate between the superior support plate and the inferior support plate and deform the surgical staple.
31. The surgical staple assembly of claim 29, wherein the surgical staple comprises at least two tines and wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm are disposed between at least two of the tines.
32. The surgical staple assembly of claim 29, further comprising:
- a bending wedge configured to be placed between the first bending arm and the second bending arm.
33. The surgical staple assembly of claim 32, wherein the bending wedge is configured to be moved into the surgical staple assembly.
34. The surgical staple assembly of claim 33, wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm rotate outward as the bending wedge is moved into the surgical staple assembly.
35. The surgical staple assembly of claim 34, wherein the surgical staple is deformed as the bending wedge is moved into the surgical staple assembly.
36. The surgical staple assembly of claim 32, wherein the superior support plate further comprises:
- a superior bending wedge guide configured to engage the bending wedge and guide the bending wedge as the bending wedge moves within the surgical staple assembly.
37. The surgical staple assembly of claim 36, wherein the superior support plate further comprises:
- a superior bending wedge stop configured to limit the motion of the bending wedge as the bending wedge moves within the surgical staple assembly.
38. The surgical staple assembly of claim 37, wherein the inferior support plate further comprises:
- an inferior bending wedge guide configured to engage the bending wedge and guide the bending wedge as the bending wedge moves within the surgical staple assembly.
39. The surgical staple assembly of claim 38, wherein the inferior support plate further comprises:
- an inferior bending wedge stop configured to limit the motion of the bending wedge as the bending wedge moves within the surgical staple assembly.
40. The surgical staple assembly of claim 36, wherein the superior bending wedge guide comprises a protrusion and wherein the superior bending wedge guide is configured to produce a clicking noise when the protrusion is contacted.
41. The surgical staple assembly of claim 40, wherein the protrusion is configured to be contacted by the bending wedge.
42. The surgical staple assembly of claim 38, wherein the inferior bending wedge guide comprises a protrusion and wherein the inferior bending wedge guide is configured to produce a clicking noise when the protrusion is contacted.
43. The surgical staple assembly of claim 42, wherein the protrusion is configured to be contacted by the bending wedge.
44. A method of treating a patient, comprising:
- retrieving a surgical staple assembly having a surgical staple, wherein the surgical staple assembly is movable between a first configuration in which the surgical staple is in an original shape and a second configuration in which the surgical staple is deformed; and
- moving the surgical staple assembly to the second configuration.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein the surgical staple assembly is moved to the second configuration by applying a compressive force to the surgical staple assembly.
46. The method of claim 44, further comprising:
- retrieving the surgical staple from the surgical staple assembly.
47. The method of claim 36, further comprising:
- installing the surgical staple within a patient.
48. The method of claim 47, further comprising:
- returning the surgical staple to the original shape.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein the surgical staple is returned to the original shape by applying heat to the surgical staple.
50. A kit, comprising:
- a plurality of surgical staple assemblies, wherein each surgical staple assembly includes a surgical staple and wherein each surgical staple assembly is configured to bend each surgical staple to substantially the same shape.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 18, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 8, 2011
Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. (Warsaw, IN)
Inventor: Fred J. Molz, IV (Birmingham, AL)
Application Number: 13/212,390
International Classification: A61B 17/068 (20060101);