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.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/309,916 (attorney docket no. 342), filed Dec. 2, 2011, which, in turn, is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/781,746 (attorney docket no. 303), filed May 17, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,070,034, issued Dec. 6, 2011, which, in turn, claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/182,528 (attorney docket no. 278), filed May 29, 2009, each and every one of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention generally relates to surgical staplers and stapling.
BACKGROUNDSurgical staplers for use in minimally invasive surgery may be designed to be generally cylindrical in shape in order to fit through a corresponding trocar port placed in a patient, where that trocar port has a generally circular orifice defined therethrough. Such a surgical stapler typically includes a staple holder and an anvil pivotally connected to the staple holder. Referring to
The use of the same reference symbols in different figures indicates similar or identical items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONReferring to
Referring also to
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While the invention has been described in detail, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made and equivalents employed, without departing from the present invention. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction, the arrangements of components, and/or the steps of performing anastomosis set forth in the above description or illustrated in the drawings. Therefore, the invention is not to be restricted or limited except in accordance with the following claims and their legal equivalents.
Claims
1. A surgical stapler, comprising:
- a staple holder including an upper surface, said upper surface comprising two substantially planar angled surfaces;
- a plurality of staple channels within said staple holder, wherein each of said staple channel opens to one of said angled surfaces; and
- a feeder belt comprises a loop extending into said staple holder,
- wherein a plurality of staples frangibly affixed to said feeder belt,
- wherein at least one of said staple is positioned within one of said staple channels.
2. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of staple channels lie in a first plane and at least another one of said plurality of staple channels lie in a second plane.
3. The surgical stapler of claim 2, wherein the first plane intersects with the second plane.
4. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein a substantially planar surface is deposed between said two substantially planar angled surfaces.
5. A surgical stapler, comprising:
- a staple holder including an upper surface, said upper surface comprising two substantially planar angled surfaces;
- a plurality of staple bays within said staple holder, wherein each of said staple bay opens to one of said angled surfaces; and
- a feeder belt comprises a bend extending into said staple holder,
- wherein a plurality of staples frangibly affixed to said feeder belt,
- wherein at least one of said staple is positioned within one of said staple bays.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 25, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 21, 2013
Applicant: Cardica, Inc. (Redwood City, CA)
Inventor: Bryan D. Knodel (Flagstaff, AZ)
Application Number: 13/950,357