US4489875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Self-centering surgical staple and stapler for applying the same
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
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Filing: 1982-05-25
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Granted: 1984-12-25
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Expires: 2002-05-25
Abstract
Abstract An improved, self-centering surgical staple is disclosed. Engaging members are located on the base portion of the staple. During forming (bending) of the staple on the anvil, the engaging members engage the forming mechanisms (i.e., the shoulders of the anvil or the twin heads of the pusher) to center the staple on the anvil so that the legs will be embedded in the tissue at the same depth.
Inventors
- 👤 John O. Crawford
- 👤 Roy D. Gravener
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/064; A61B17/0644
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
In combination: (a) a surgical stapler having means for forming a surgical staple as the staple is applied to a patient, said means comprising a pusher and an anvil having shoulders about which the staple is bent by the pusher during application of the staple; and (b) a self-centering surgical staple comprising a base and a pair of legs connected to the base, said base having two means spaced from the legs and symmetrically located about the transverse centerline of the base for engaging the forming means to center the staple on the anvil as the staple is applied to the patient wherein the engaging means are on the side of the base contacted by the shoulders of the anvil during application of the staple.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
In combination: (a) a surgical stapler having means for forming a surgical staple as the staple is applied to a patient, said means comprising a pusher and an anvil having shoulders about which the staple is bent by the pusher during application of the staple; and (b) a self-centering surgical staple comprising a base and a pair of legs connected to the base, said base having two means spaced from the legs and symmetrically located about the transverse centerline of the base for engaging the forming means to center the staple on the anvil as the staple is applied to the patient wherein the engaging means are on the side of the base contacted by the shoulders of the anvil during application of the staple.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the engaging means are grooves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the engaging means are raised projections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
184 words
In combination, (a) a surgical stapler having means for forming a surgical staple as the staple is applied to a patient, said means comprising a pusher and an anvil having shoulders about which the staple is bent by the pusher during application of the staple; and (b) a self-centering surgical staple comprising a base and a pair of legs connected to the base, said base having two means spaced from the legs and symmetrically located about the transverse centerline of the base for engaging the forming means to center the staple on the anvil as the staple is applied to the patient wherein the two engaging means are positioned on the base so that when the staple is centered on the anvil before forming, each engaging means extends beyond its respective anvil shoulder by a distance equal to one-half of (L arc minus L chord ), where L arc is the arc-length on the base of the staple between the engaging means at maximum bowing of the base during forming and L chord is the chord-length between the engaging means at the same time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
184 words
In combination, (a) a surgical stapler having means for forming a surgical staple as the staple is applied to a patient, said means comprising a pusher and an anvil having shoulders about which the staple is bent by the pusher during application of the staple; and (b) a self-centering surgical staple comprising a base and a pair of legs connected to the base, said base having two means spaced from the legs and symmetrically located about the transverse centerline of the base for engaging the forming means to center the staple on the anvil as the staple is applied to the patient wherein the two engaging means are positioned on the base so that when the staple is centered on the anvil before forming, each engaging means extends beyond its respective anvil shoulder by a distance equal to one-half of (L arc minus L chord ), where L arc is the arc-length on the base of the staple between the engaging means at maximum bowing of the base during forming and L chord is the chord-length between the engaging means at the same time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
130 words
In combination, (a) a surgical stapler having means for forming a surgical staple as the staple is applied to a patient, said means comprising a pusher and an anvil having shoulders about which the staple is bent by the pusher during application of the staple; and (b) a self-centering surgical staple comprising an essentially linear base and a pair of legs connected to the ends of the base, said base having two means spaced from the legs and symmetrically located about the transverse centerline of the base for engaging the forming means to center the staple on the anvil as the staple is applied to the patient wherein the engaging means are on the side of the base contacted by the shoulders of the anvil during application of the staple.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
130 words
In combination, (a) a surgical stapler having means for forming a surgical staple as the staple is applied to a patient, said means comprising a pusher and an anvil having shoulders about which the staple is bent by the pusher during application of the staple; and (b) a self-centering surgical staple comprising an essentially linear base and a pair of legs connected to the ends of the base, said base having two means spaced from the legs and symmetrically located about the transverse centerline of the base for engaging the forming means to center the staple on the anvil as the staple is applied to the patient wherein the engaging means are on the side of the base contacted by the shoulders of the anvil during application of the staple.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein the engaging means are grooves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein the engaging means are raised projections.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
189 words
In combination, (a) a surgical stapler having means for forming a surgical staple as the staple is applied to a patient, said means comprising a pusher and an anvil having shoulders about which the staple is bent by the pusher during application of the staple; and (b) a self-centering surgical staple comprising an essentially linear base and a pair of legs connected to the ends of the base, said base having two means spaced from the legs and symmetrically located about the transverse centerline of the base for engaging the forming means to center the staple on the anvil as the staple is applied to the patient wherein the two engaging means are positioned on the base so that when the staple is centered on the anvil before forming, each engaging means extends beyond its respective anvil shoulder by a distance equal to one-half of (L arc minus L chord ), where L arc is the arc-length on the base of the staple between the engaging means at maximum bowing of the base during forming and L chord is the chord-length between the engaging means at the same time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
189 words
In combination, (a) a surgical stapler having means for forming a surgical staple as the staple is applied to a patient, said means comprising a pusher and an anvil having shoulders about which the staple is bent by the pusher during application of the staple; and (b) a self-centering surgical staple comprising an essentially linear base and a pair of legs connected to the ends of the base, said base having two means spaced from the legs and symmetrically located about the transverse centerline of the base for engaging the forming means to center the staple on the anvil as the staple is applied to the patient wherein the two engaging means are positioned on the base so that when the staple is centered on the anvil before forming, each engaging means extends beyond its respective anvil shoulder by a distance equal to one-half of (L arc minus L chord ), where L arc is the arc-length on the base of the staple between the engaging means at maximum bowing of the base during forming and L chord is the chord-length between the engaging means at the same time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-12-25 | 1988-06-25 | 1988-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-25 | 1992-06-25 | 1992-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-25 | 1996-06-25 | 1996-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |