Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a surgical staple for treating tissues of a patient in a surgical procedure. The surgical staple is deformable from a first configuration (e.g., an un-deployed configuration) to a second configuration (e.g., a deployed configuration) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The surgical staple includes a first leg and a second leg, wherein said surgical staple substantially resembles a V-shape or a suture needle in the first configuration and substantially forms a D-shape in the second configuration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a surgical staple for treating tissues of a patient in a surgical procedure. The surgical staple is deformable from a first configuration (e.g., an un-deployed configuration) to a second configuration (e.g., a deployed configuration) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The surgical staple includes a first leg and a second leg, wherein said surgical staple substantially resembles a V-shape or a suture needle in the first configuration and substantially forms a D-shape in the second configuration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: One example of a surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt, a plurality of staples frangibly connected to the feeder belt, and at least one pull tab extending laterally from the feeder belt. An example of a surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include providing at least one feeder belt and staples frangibly connected thereto, and at least one wedge movable relative to the feeder belt; moving at least one wedge in a first direction to contact and thereby form and shear at least one staple from at least one feeder belt; and moving at least one wedge in a second direction to engage and advance the feeder belt.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a surgical staple for treating tissues of a patient in a surgical procedure. The surgical staple is deformable from a first configuration (e.g., an undeployed configuration) to a second configuration (e.g., a deployed configuration) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The surgical staple includes a first leg and a second leg, wherein said surgical staple substantially resembles a V-shape or a suture needle in the first configuration and substantially forms a D-shape in the second configuration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical apparatus may include an end effector; a shaft extending proximally from the end effector, the shaft including an articulation region; and a handle including at least one button, where actuation of the button causes said the effector to articulate through a discrete increment relative to the shaft.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a flexible articulation insert and at least one feeder belt extending through the articulation insert, where at least some of the staples are frangibly connected to the feeder belt. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include at least one movable feeder belt; staples fixed to the feeder belt; and a flexible articulation insert having at least one feeder belt passage defined therein, the flexible articulation insert configured to bend through a range of motion; where each feeder belt extends through a corresponding feeder belt passage, and where each feeder belt passage is shaped such that the corresponding feeder belt and staples fixed thereto are slidable along the passage throughout the entire range of motion of the flexible articulation insert.

Abstract: This invention is directed to several mechanical features of an electronic device. The electronic device may include a spring for simultaneously grounding several components. The electronic device may include several interlocking fences for protecting electronic device components from RF radiation. The electronic device may include an antenna assembly that includes distinct components for functional and aesthetic purposes. The electronic device may include a window for permitting RF transmissions. The electronic device may include a metal frame for stiffening the electronic device. The electronic device may include a bezel used for aesthetic purposes and to support numerous electronic device components. The electronic device may include a flexible housing operative to elastically deform to assemble the electronic device. The electronic device may include an unsupported button.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical stapler may include a staple holder; an anvil movably connected to the staple holder; staple forming pockets defined in a surface of the anvil; and a staple trap movable within the anvil relative to the staple forming pockets. Another exemplary surgical stapler for may include a feeder belt; staples frangibly affixed to said feeder belt; an anvil against which the staples are bent in a controlled manner by engagement with staple forming pockets defined in that anvil; and at least one finger that presses a corresponding staple within a corresponding staple forming pocket laterally with a force sufficient to hold the staple in the staple forming pocket where said staple does not engage tissue after that staple is bent.

Abstract: One example of a surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt, a plurality of staples frangibly connected to the feeder belt, and at least one pull tab extending laterally from the feeder belt. An example of a surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include providing at least one feeder belt and staples frangibly connected thereto, and at least one wedge movable relative to the feeder belt; moving at least one wedge in a first direction to contact and thereby form and shear at least one staple from at least one feeder belt; and moving at least one wedge in a second direction to engage and advance the feeder belt.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt; wings fixed to that feeder belt; and a die into which the feeder belt extends, where relative motion of the die and feeder belt bends at least one wing to transform at least one wing into an unformed staple. An exemplary surgical method for treating tissue of a patient may include providing a surgical instrument including an end effector; placing the end effector adjacent to tissue of a patient; and manufacturing at least one surgical staple within the end effector.

Abstract: A system for connecting the end of a graft vessel to the side of a target vessel may include an anvil configured to enter the target vessel through an anvil entry hole in the wall of the target vessel; a holder movable relative to the anvil, where that holder may deploy at least one connector through the graft vessel and into the target vessel at a location spaced apart from the anvil entry hole; and at least one sealer that may be detachably connected to the anvil and/or said holder; where at least one sealer may be configured to substantially close the anvil entry hole in the target vessel.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a surgical staple for treating tissues of a patient in a surgical procedure. The surgical staple is deformable from a first configuration (e.g., an undeployed configuration) to a second configuration (e.g., a deployed configuration) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The surgical staple includes a first leg and a second leg, wherein said surgical staple substantially resembles a V-shape or a suture needle in the first configuration and substantially forms a D-shape in the second configuration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.