Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
The method for ligating tubular structures and tissue masses with surgical staples while the structures to be ligated are clamped between the clamping jaws of a hemostat, and wherein a staple-carrying cartridge is moveably mounted on one of two pivotally connected arms of the hemostat, wherein the cartridge has a closeable opening adapted to surround the clamping jaws of the hemostat at the end adjacent said clamping jaws, the closeable opening allowing for the free passage of the second of the hemostat arms when the closeable opening is open, the method comprising the steps of: clamping a structure to be ligated between the clamping jaws of the hemostat so as to temporarily close the structure; closing the closeable opening in the cartridge so that the closeable opening completely encircles the clamping jaws of the hemostat; moving the closeable opening along the jaws of the hemostat, past the respective ends thereof, and about the temporarily closed structure; and ejecting a surgical staple from the cartridge and clinching the same about the structure clamped between the jaws of the hemostat so as to permanently close the structure with a surgical staple.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
189 words
The method for ligating tubular structures and tissue masses with surgical staples while the structures to be ligated are clamped between the clamping jaws of a hemostat, and wherein a staple-carrying cartridge is moveably mounted on one of two pivotally connected arms of the hemostat, wherein the cartridge has a closeable opening adapted to surround the clamping jaws of the hemostat at the end adjacent said clamping jaws, the closeable opening allowing for the free passage of the second of the hemostat arms when the closeable opening is open, the method comprising the steps of: clamping a structure to be ligated between the clamping jaws of the hemostat so as to temporarily close the structure; closing the closeable opening in the cartridge so that the closeable opening completely encircles the clamping jaws of the hemostat; moving the closeable opening along the jaws of the hemostat, past the respective ends thereof, and about the temporarily closed structure; and ejecting a surgical staple from the cartridge and clinching the same about the structure clamped between the jaws of the hemostat so as to permanently close the structure with a surgical staple.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 1, wherein the cartridge is pivotally moved with respect to the hemostat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method recited in claim 1, wherein the cartridge is linearly moved with respecT to the hemostat so that the longitudinal axis of the cartridge remains parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hemostat arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method recited in claim 1, and further comprising the steps of: blocking the ejection and clinching of the surgical staple if the staple is out of position in the cartridge or if the cartridge is devoid of staples.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method recited in claim 4, wherein said blocking means comprises a spring member biased toward the plane of the ejecting and clinching means and adapted to be biased out of said plane by a surgical staple.