US3717294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cartridge and powering instrument for stapling skin and fascia
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
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Filing: 1970-12-14
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Granted: 1973-02-20
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Expires: 1990-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A disposable staple cartridge housing a plurality of staples on a flexible belt and adapted to inject and form the staples, singly, into the disunited skin or fascia of a patient. Downwardly projecting flanges on a staple pusher act directly on the forwardmost staple positioned between a pair of adjacent teeth in the flexible belt and move the staple, the belt and its contents, with each stroke of the pusher. The forwardmost staple, when acted upon by the pusher, advances, rides out of the plane of the flexible belt and into the plane of the pusher and is ejected and bent around an anvil assembly. On the return stroke of the pusher, the downwardly projecting flanges flex out of the plane of the next successive staple, moving over that staple, and then take a position in readiness for the following stapling operation. The cartridge is provided with means for preventing the retraction of the staple housing belt during the rearward stroke of the pusher. In a second embodiment of the disposable cartridge, a plurality of staples are advanced as described above, but the number of disposable elements are reduced. With this embodiment, an inventive adaptor serves to associate the cartridge with a powering instrument. Also disclosed is a novel and simplified gas activated powering unit which develops a rectilinear thrust for advancing and forming staples.
Inventors
- 👤 D Green
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 17:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/068; A61B17/0682; A61B17/0684; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00544
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
278 words
A staple-ejecting cartridge adapted to be sterilized, packaged and mounted on a skin-stapling instrument, the cartridge comprising: an elongated main body adapted to house a plurality of surgical staples, the main body having a rearward end for associating with the skin-stapling instrument and a forward end for the expulsion and formation of the staples; a guide track mounted for movement along the length of said main body for housing and guiding said staples; a plurality of contact surfaces spaced along said guide track, each for engaging a single staple and advancing same toward the forward end of said main body in response to forward movement of said guide track; a substantially planar pusher element having a major axis parallel to the major axis of said elongated main body and being positioned adjacent said guide track; at least one downwardly projecting driving surface integral with said pusher element and adapted to selectively extend adjacent to said guide track, said at least one driving surface being positioned so as to align with the cross-pieces of said staples; means in operative relationship with said main body and with said guide track for singly moving said staples away from said guide track and into the plane of said pusher element in response to the forward movement of said pusher element; cam means in operative relationship with said pusher element for changing the relative positions between said at least one driving surface and said guide track during rearward moVement of said pusher element so that said guide track is free from the effects of said at least one driving surface; and an anvil integral with the forward end of said elongated main body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
278 words
A staple-ejecting cartridge adapted to be sterilized, packaged and mounted on a skin-stapling instrument, the cartridge comprising: an elongated main body adapted to house a plurality of surgical staples, the main body having a rearward end for associating with the skin-stapling instrument and a forward end for the expulsion and formation of the staples; a guide track mounted for movement along the length of said main body for housing and guiding said staples; a plurality of contact surfaces spaced along said guide track, each for engaging a single staple and advancing same toward the forward end of said main body in response to forward movement of said guide track; a substantially planar pusher element having a major axis parallel to the major axis of said elongated main body and being positioned adjacent said guide track; at least one downwardly projecting driving surface integral with said pusher element and adapted to selectively extend adjacent to said guide track, said at least one driving surface being positioned so as to align with the cross-pieces of said staples; means in operative relationship with said main body and with said guide track for singly moving said staples away from said guide track and into the plane of said pusher element in response to the forward movement of said pusher element; cam means in operative relationship with said pusher element for changing the relative positions between said at least one driving surface and said guide track during rearward moVement of said pusher element so that said guide track is free from the effects of said at least one driving surface; and an anvil integral with the forward end of said elongated main body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
278 words
A staple-ejecting cartridge adapted to be sterilized, packaged and mounted on a skin-stapling instrument, the cartridge comprising: an elongated main body adapted to house a plurality of surgical staples, the main body having a rearward end for associating with the skin-stapling instrument and a forward end for the expulsion and formation of the staples; a guide track mounted for movement along the length of said main body for housing and guiding said staples; a plurality of contact surfaces spaced along said guide track, each for engaging a single staple and advancing same toward the forward end of said main body in response to forward movement of said guide track; a substantially planar pusher element having a major axis parallel to the major axis of said elongated main body and being positioned adjacent said guide track; at least one downwardly projecting driving surface integral with said pusher element and adapted to selectively extend adjacent to said guide track, said at least one driving surface being positioned so as to align with the cross-pieces of said staples; means in operative relationship with said main body and with said guide track for singly moving said staples away from said guide track and into the plane of said pusher element in response to the forward movement of said pusher element; cam means in operative relationship with said pusher element for changing the relative positions between said at least one driving surface and said guide track during rearward moVement of said pusher element so that said guide track is free from the effects of said at least one driving surface; and an anvil integral with the forward end of said elongated main body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
278 words
A staple-ejecting cartridge adapted to be sterilized, packaged and mounted on a skin-stapling instrument, the cartridge comprising: an elongated main body adapted to house a plurality of surgical staples, the main body having a rearward end for associating with the skin-stapling instrument and a forward end for the expulsion and formation of the staples; a guide track mounted for movement along the length of said main body for housing and guiding said staples; a plurality of contact surfaces spaced along said guide track, each for engaging a single staple and advancing same toward the forward end of said main body in response to forward movement of said guide track; a substantially planar pusher element having a major axis parallel to the major axis of said elongated main body and being positioned adjacent said guide track; at least one downwardly projecting driving surface integral with said pusher element and adapted to selectively extend adjacent to said guide track, said at least one driving surface being positioned so as to align with the cross-pieces of said staples; means in operative relationship with said main body and with said guide track for singly moving said staples away from said guide track and into the plane of said pusher element in response to the forward movement of said pusher element; cam means in operative relationship with said pusher element for changing the relative positions between said at least one driving surface and said guide track during rearward moVement of said pusher element so that said guide track is free from the effects of said at least one driving surface; and an anvil integral with the forward end of said elongated main body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 1, wherein the forward face of said at least one downwardly projecting driving surface is substantially perpendicular to the forward direction of movement of said guide track; and wherein said cam means is integral with said pusher element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge defined in claim 2, wherein each cam means takes the form of a linear surface extending downwardly and forwardly from said pusher element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 1, wherein there are two downwardly projecting driving surfaces; and wherein these surfaces are spaced apart a distance greater than the width of said guide track but less than the length of the cross-pieces of the staples.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 4, wherein said pusher element and said driving surfaces are formed out of a single unitary material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 1, wherein the forward region of said pusher element is flexible; wherein said cam means is integral with the forward region of said pusher element; wherein during the rearward movement of said pusher element, the cam means contacts the cross-piece of one staple and cams said at least one downwardly projecting driving surface over said staple; and wherein said at least one downwardly projecting driving surface returns to a position adjacent to said guide track after being cammed over said staple.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 6, and further comprising: means in operative relationship with said guide track for preventing the rearward movement of said guide track during rearward movement of said pusher element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 7, wherein said guide track takes the form of a flexible toothed belt; wherein the staples are housed in and are guided by the notches defined between adjacent teeth; wherein a series of spaced notches are provided in the belt on the side thereof remote from said staples; wherein said means for preventing the rearward movement of said guide track takes the form of a flexible projection extending, when relaxed, into one of said spaced notches; and wherein said projection has a track abuttment face substantially perpendicular to the track and a sloping camming face remote from said abuttment face.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 7, wherein said guide track takes the form of a flexible toothed belt; and wherein said means for preventing the rearward movement of said guide track takes the form of a resilient member mounted integral with said body, adapted to engage the teeth of said belt, thereby preventing the rearward movement of said belt, and adapted to be cammed out of the plane of said teeth during the advancement of said belt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
100 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 1, wherein said guide track, when fully loaded with staples, extends substantially the entire length of the elongated main body on the side thereof adjacent said pusher element; wherein said fully loaded guide track extends in the forward end of said main body from the side thereof adjacent the pusher element to the side remote therefrom; and wherein said fully loaded guide track extends a portion of the distance from the forward end of the main body to the rearward end thereof on the side of the main body remote from said pusher element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 10, wherein the side of the cartridge main body remote from said pusher element is transparent; wherein said transparent side is provided with a set of indicia; and wherein the alignment of the end of said guide track with said indicia is indicative of the number of staples remaining in said cartridge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 1, wherein the forward faCe of said pusher element is stepped outwardly and forwardly so as to maximize the effect of the pusher element in bending the staples around said anvil.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
112 words
A cartridge adaptor for supporting a surgical staple-ejecting cartridge having a pusher element, and designed to be mounted on a skin-stapling instrument, the cartridge adaptor comprising: an elongated main body; mounting means at the rearward end of said elongated main body for removably attaching the main body to the skin-stapling instrument; an elongated substantially planar linkage slidably mounted in said main body for associating the skin-stapling instrument with the pusher element of the staple-ejecting cartridge; anvil means integral with said elongated main body at its forward end; and means in operative relationship with said cartridge for removably securing the surgical staple-ejecting cartridge to the cartridge adaptor in the region of said anvil.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
112 words
A cartridge adaptor for supporting a surgical staple-ejecting cartridge having a pusher element, and designed to be mounted on a skin-stapling instrument, the cartridge adaptor comprising: an elongated main body; mounting means at the rearward end of said elongated main body for removably attaching the main body to the skin-stapling instrument; an elongated substantially planar linkage slidably mounted in said main body for associating the skin-stapling instrument with the pusher element of the staple-ejecting cartridge; anvil means integral with said elongated main body at its forward end; and means in operative relationship with said cartridge for removably securing the surgical staple-ejecting cartridge to the cartridge adaptor in the region of said anvil.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
The cartridge adaptor as recited in claim 13, and further comprising: a nose piece attached to said main body near the anvil thereof defining a portion of said means for securing the staple-ejecting cartridge; and a locking element attached to said main body near the rearward end thereof defining the remaining portion of the means for securing the staple-ejecting cartridge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The cartridge adaptor as recited in claim 14, and further comprising: means integral with said nose piece for singly guiding the staples in said staple-ejecting cartridge out of the plane of said linkage and into another planar position adjacent to said anvil.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
73 words
The cartridge adaptor recited in claim 15, wherein said means for guiding staples comprises a first set of ramps adapted to engage the cross-pieces of said staples; and a second set of ramps adapted to engage the legs of said staples; said first and said second set of ramps being spaced apart a predetermined distance so that the staple being transported from the plane of said linkage remains parallel to said linkage plane.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
The cartridge adaptor recited in claim 14, wherein the mounting means defined in said nose piece is in the form of a recess adapted to accept the nose of said staple-ejecting cartridge; and wherein the engagement element comprises a projection adapted to engage a corresponding detent in said staple-ejecting cartridge.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
101 words
The cartridge adaptor recited in claim 13, wherein said elongated linkage is provided, at its rearward end, with an opening for engaging the drive shaft of the skin-stapling instrument; wherein said elongated linkage is provided, at its forward end, with a projection for engaging a corresponding opening in the pusher element of the staple-ejecting cartridge; wherein said cartridge adaptor further includes a cover member and a mounting block between which is mounted said elongated linkage; and wherein said cover is slotted in order to allow for the reciprocation of the drive shaft of the skin-stapling instrument while engaging said elongated linkage.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
259 words
A staple-ejecting cartridge adapted to be sterilized, packaged and mounted on a skin-stapling instrument, the cartridge comprising: a main body adapted to house a plurality of surgical staples and having a forward end, a rearward end, a bottom, and an adaptor engaging surface; a guide track mounted for movement in said main body for housing and guiding said staples; a plurality of contact surfaces spaced along said guide track, each for engaging a single staple and advancing same toward the forward end of said main body in response to forward movement of said guide track; a substantially planar pusher element having a major axis parallel to said adaptor engaging surface, and positioned between said adaptor engaging surface and said guide track; at least one downwardly projecting driving surface integral with said pusher element and adapted to extend, when said pusher element is relaxed, adjacent to said guide track, said at least one driving surface being positioned so as to align with the cross-pieces of said staples; cam means in operative relationship with said pusher element for changing the relative positions between said at least one downwardly projecting driving surface and said guide track during rearward movement of said pusher element so that said guide track is free from the effects of said at least one driving surface; and said main body defining a first opening near the junction between the forward end of the cartridge and the adaptor engaging surface for the expulsion of the staples from the main body in response to forward movement of the guide track.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
259 words
A staple-ejecting cartridge adapted to be sterilized, packaged and mounted on a skin-stapling instrument, the cartridge comprising: a main body adapted to house a plurality of surgical staples and having a forward end, a rearward end, a bottom, and an adaptor engaging surface; a guide track mounted for movement in said main body for housing and guiding said staples; a plurality of contact surfaces spaced along said guide track, each for engaging a single staple and advancing same toward the forward end of said main body in response to forward movement of said guide track; a substantially planar pusher element having a major axis parallel to said adaptor engaging surface, and positioned between said adaptor engaging surface and said guide track; at least one downwardly projecting driving surface integral with said pusher element and adapted to extend, when said pusher element is relaxed, adjacent to said guide track, said at least one driving surface being positioned so as to align with the cross-pieces of said staples; cam means in operative relationship with said pusher element for changing the relative positions between said at least one downwardly projecting driving surface and said guide track during rearward movement of said pusher element so that said guide track is free from the effects of said at least one driving surface; and said main body defining a first opening near the junction between the forward end of the cartridge and the adaptor engaging surface for the expulsion of the staples from the main body in response to forward movement of the guide track.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 19, wherein the forward face of said at least one downwardly projecting driving surface is substantially perpendicular to the plane of said guide track; and wherein said cam means is integral with said pusher element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge defined in claim 20, wherein each cam means takes the form of a linear surface extending downwardly and forwardly from said pusher element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 19, wherein there are two downwardly projecting driving surfaces; and wherein these surfaces are spaced apart a distance greater than the width of said guide track but less than the length of the cross-pieces of the staples.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 22, wherein said pusher element and said driving surfaces are formed out of a single unitary material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
86 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 19, wherein the forward region of said pusher element is flexible; wherein said cam means is integral with the forward region of said pusher element; wherein during the rearward movement of said pusher element, the cam means contacts the cross-piece of one staple and cams said at least one downwardly projecting driving surface over said staple; and wherein said at least one downwardly projecting driving surface returns to the plane of the guide track after being cammed over said staple.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 19, wherein the forward face of said pusher element is stepped outwardly and forwardly so as to maximize the effect of the pusher element in bending the staples around said anvil.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
77 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 19, and further comprising: a staple guide path defined in said main body, one end of said guide path communicating with said first opening in the main body, and the other end of said guide path communicating with a second opening adjacent said first opening, said guide path substantially following the outline of said main body; and wherein said guide track and said staples are moveably housed in said guide path.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 26, wherein all changes in direction of said guide path are smoothly developed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 19, and further comprising: a staple guide path defined within said main body, substantially following the outline of said main body; and wherein said guide track and said staples are moveably housed in said guide path.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 28, wherein all changes in direction of said guide path are smoothly developed.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 19, for mounting on a cartridge adaptor, said cartridge further comprising: means on said cartridge for mounting said cartridge on said cartridge adaptor.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
56 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 30, wherein said cartridge is designed and adapted to be mounted on the cartridge adaptor with the body of the adaptor positioned adjacent said adaptor engaging surface; and wherein said pusher element of said cartridge is adapted to engage and be controlled by a linkage element in said cartridge adaptor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
58 words
The staple-ejecting cartridge recited in claim 31, wherein the staples expelled from said cartridge are adapted to enter a nose piece of said cartridge adaptor; and wherein the junction between the forward end of the cartridge And the adaptor engaging surface is in the form of a tongue-like projection adapted to engage a groove in said nose piece.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |