US5709335A — Surgical stapling instrument and method thereof

Claim 1

Independent Claim 244 words

A surgical stapling instrument for stapling a tubular tissue structure having at least one distal end to a luminal structure such as a vascular lumen or another tubular tissue structure, comprising: a rod having a circumference sufficient to pass within the tubular tissue structure; an anvil mounted on said rod, said anvil having an array of staple deforming means theron and having a size sufficient to pass through a surgically formed opening in and to be accommodated within the luminal structure; a generally tubular staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and having an inner passage sufficient to axially accommodate the tubular tissue structure between said rod and the inner surface of said staple cartridge and sufficient to be movable axially with respect to said rod, and having a staple delivery end having an outer dimension small enough so that the tubular tissue structure can be everted over said staple delivery end of said staple cartridge, said staple delivery end being positioned toward said array of staple deforming means; means for clamping the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure adjacent to the surgically formed opening between said staple cartridge and said anvil; and means for ejecting said plurality of staples through said everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said staple deforming means on said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 244 words

A surgical stapling instrument for stapling a tubular tissue structure having at least one distal end to a luminal structure such as a vascular lumen or another tubular tissue structure, comprising: a rod having a circumference sufficient to pass within the tubular tissue structure; an anvil mounted on said rod, said anvil having an array of staple deforming means theron and having a size sufficient to pass through a surgically formed opening in and to be accommodated within the luminal structure; a generally tubular staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and having an inner passage sufficient to axially accommodate the tubular tissue structure between said rod and the inner surface of said staple cartridge and sufficient to be movable axially with respect to said rod, and having a staple delivery end having an outer dimension small enough so that the tubular tissue structure can be everted over said staple delivery end of said staple cartridge, said staple delivery end being positioned toward said array of staple deforming means; means for clamping the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure adjacent to the surgically formed opening between said staple cartridge and said anvil; and means for ejecting said plurality of staples through said everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said staple deforming means on said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

The instrument of claim 1, wherein said means for clamping comprises means for variably positioning said tubular staple cartridge axially along said rod such that stapling is optimized.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

The instrument of claim 1, wherein said means for ejecting comprises means for driving said plurality of staples through said staple cartridge.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 249 words

A surgical stapling instrument for stapling a tubular tissue structure to a vascular lumen, comprising: a rod having an anvil distally mounted on one end of said rod, said rod having a circumference sufficient to pass within the tubular tissue structure and said anvil having an array of staple deforming means theron and having a size sufficient to pass through a surgically formed opening in, and to be accommodated within the luminal structure; a generally tubular staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and having an inner passage sufficient to axially accommodate the tubular tissue structure between said rod and the inner surface of said staple cartridge and sufficient to be movable axially with respect to said rod, and having a staple delivery end having an array of staple delivery means and having an outer dimension small enough so that the tubular tissue structure can be everted over said staple deforming end of said staple cartridge, said staple delivery end being positioned toward said array of staple deforming means; means for clamping the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure adjacent said surgically formed opening between said staple cartridge and said anvil; and means for ejecting said plurality of staples from said staple delivery means and through said everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said staple deforming means on said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the limininal structure.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 249 words

A surgical stapling instrument for stapling a tubular tissue structure to a vascular lumen, comprising: a rod having an anvil distally mounted on one end of said rod, said rod having a circumference sufficient to pass within the tubular tissue structure and said anvil having an array of staple deforming means theron and having a size sufficient to pass through a surgically formed opening in, and to be accommodated within the luminal structure; a generally tubular staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and having an inner passage sufficient to axially accommodate the tubular tissue structure between said rod and the inner surface of said staple cartridge and sufficient to be movable axially with respect to said rod, and having a staple delivery end having an array of staple delivery means and having an outer dimension small enough so that the tubular tissue structure can be everted over said staple deforming end of said staple cartridge, said staple delivery end being positioned toward said array of staple deforming means; means for clamping the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure adjacent said surgically formed opening between said staple cartridge and said anvil; and means for ejecting said plurality of staples from said staple delivery means and through said everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said staple deforming means on said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the limininal structure.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 23 words

The instrument of claim 4 wherein said array of staple deforming means and said array of staple delivery means are tear drop shape.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 235 words

A surgical stapling instrument for stapling a tubular tissue structure to a vascular lumen, comprising: a rod having an anvil centrally mounted to said rod, said rod having a circumference sufficient to pass within the tubular tissue structure, and said anvil having an array of staple deforming means theron and having a size sufficient to pass through a surgically formed opening in the luminal structure; a generally tubular staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and having an inner passage sufficient to axially accommodate the tubular tissue structure between said rod and the inner surface of said staple cartridge and sufficient to be movable axially with respect to said rod, and having a staple delivery end having an array of staple delivery means and having an outer dimension small enough so that the tubular tissue structure can be everted over said staple delivery end of said staple cartridge, said staple delivery end being positioned toward said array of staple deforming means; means for clamping said everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure adjacent said surgically formed opening between said staple cartridge and said anvil; and means for ejecting said plurality of staples through said everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said staple deforming means on said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the lumininal structure.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 235 words

A surgical stapling instrument for stapling a tubular tissue structure to a vascular lumen, comprising: a rod having an anvil centrally mounted to said rod, said rod having a circumference sufficient to pass within the tubular tissue structure, and said anvil having an array of staple deforming means theron and having a size sufficient to pass through a surgically formed opening in the luminal structure; a generally tubular staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and having an inner passage sufficient to axially accommodate the tubular tissue structure between said rod and the inner surface of said staple cartridge and sufficient to be movable axially with respect to said rod, and having a staple delivery end having an array of staple delivery means and having an outer dimension small enough so that the tubular tissue structure can be everted over said staple delivery end of said staple cartridge, said staple delivery end being positioned toward said array of staple deforming means; means for clamping said everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure adjacent said surgically formed opening between said staple cartridge and said anvil; and means for ejecting said plurality of staples through said everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said staple deforming means on said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the lumininal structure.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 13 words

The instrument of claim 6, wherein said rod is retractable along its axis.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 21 words

The instrument of claim 6, wherein said array of staple deforming means and said array of staple delivery means are circular.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 182 words

A method for stapling a tubular tissue structure to a luminal structure, comprising the steps of: inserting a rod having an anvil into the tubular tissue structure; securing the tubular structure to said rod; inserting said rod into a tubular staple cartridge; everting the end of the tubular tissue structure proximate to said anvil over said tubular staple cartridge; securing said end of the tubular tissue structure proximate to said anvil to said tubular staple cartridge; positioning said anvil in the luminal structure via a surgically formed opening in therein; moving said tubular staple cartridge along said rod toward said head until the tubular structure and the luminal structure are engaged; clamping the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure adjacent said surgically formed opening between said tubular staple cartridge and said anvil; and ejecting a plurality of staples from said tubular staple cartridge through said everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 182 words

A method for stapling a tubular tissue structure to a luminal structure, comprising the steps of: inserting a rod having an anvil into the tubular tissue structure; securing the tubular structure to said rod; inserting said rod into a tubular staple cartridge; everting the end of the tubular tissue structure proximate to said anvil over said tubular staple cartridge; securing said end of the tubular tissue structure proximate to said anvil to said tubular staple cartridge; positioning said anvil in the luminal structure via a surgically formed opening in therein; moving said tubular staple cartridge along said rod toward said head until the tubular structure and the luminal structure are engaged; clamping the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure adjacent said surgically formed opening between said tubular staple cartridge and said anvil; and ejecting a plurality of staples from said tubular staple cartridge through said everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 215 words

A method for stapling a tubular tissue structure to a luminal structure, comprising the steps of: inserting a rod having a centrally mounted anvil into the luminal structure via a surgically formed opening therein such that said rod transects opposing walls of the luminal structure and such that said anvil is positioned within the luminal structure; inserting one end of said rod into the tubular tissue structure; positioning the portion of said rod accommodating the tubular tissue structure and the accommodated end of the tubular tissue structure in a tubular staple cartridge; everting said accommodated end of the tubular tissue structure over said tubular staple cartridge; securing the everted end of the tubular tissue structure to said tubular staple cartridge; moving said tubular staple cartridge axially with respect to said rod toward said anvil until the tubular structure and the luminal structure are engaged; clamping said everted end of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure adjacent said surgically formed opening between said tubular staple cartridge and said anvil; and ejecting a plurality of staples from said tubular staple cartridge through said everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the limininal structure.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 215 words

A method for stapling a tubular tissue structure to a luminal structure, comprising the steps of: inserting a rod having a centrally mounted anvil into the luminal structure via a surgically formed opening therein such that said rod transects opposing walls of the luminal structure and such that said anvil is positioned within the luminal structure; inserting one end of said rod into the tubular tissue structure; positioning the portion of said rod accommodating the tubular tissue structure and the accommodated end of the tubular tissue structure in a tubular staple cartridge; everting said accommodated end of the tubular tissue structure over said tubular staple cartridge; securing the everted end of the tubular tissue structure to said tubular staple cartridge; moving said tubular staple cartridge axially with respect to said rod toward said anvil until the tubular structure and the luminal structure are engaged; clamping said everted end of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure adjacent said surgically formed opening between said tubular staple cartridge and said anvil; and ejecting a plurality of staples from said tubular staple cartridge through said everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the limininal structure.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 231 words

A surgical stapling instrument for stapling a tubular tissue structure having at least one distal end to a luminal structure such as a vascular lumen or another tubular tissue structure, comprising: a rod having a circumference sufficient to pass within the tubular tissue structure; an anvil coupled to said rod and configured to be positioned through a surgically formed opening in and to be accommodated within luminal structure; a staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and having an inner surface defining an inner passage extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, said passage being sufficiently dimensioned to axially accommodate the tubular tissue structure between said rod and the inner surface from the proximal end to the distal end of said staple cartridge, and having an outer dimension small enough so that an everted portion of the tubular tissue structure to be everted over the distal end of said staple cartridge; at least one driver pin moveable relative to said staple cartridge for ejecting said plurality of staples through the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure; and a clamping mechanism which clamps the everted portion and the luminal structure adjacent to the surgically formed opening between the staple cartridge and the anvil.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 231 words

A surgical stapling instrument for stapling a tubular tissue structure having at least one distal end to a luminal structure such as a vascular lumen or another tubular tissue structure, comprising: a rod having a circumference sufficient to pass within the tubular tissue structure; an anvil coupled to said rod and configured to be positioned through a surgically formed opening in and to be accommodated within luminal structure; a staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and having an inner surface defining an inner passage extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, said passage being sufficiently dimensioned to axially accommodate the tubular tissue structure between said rod and the inner surface from the proximal end to the distal end of said staple cartridge, and having an outer dimension small enough so that an everted portion of the tubular tissue structure to be everted over the distal end of said staple cartridge; at least one driver pin moveable relative to said staple cartridge for ejecting said plurality of staples through the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure; and a clamping mechanism which clamps the everted portion and the luminal structure adjacent to the surgically formed opening between the staple cartridge and the anvil.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 16 words

The instrument of claim 11, wherein said staple cartridge comprises an array of staple delivery shafts.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 52 words

The instrument of claim 12, wherein said at least one driver pin comprises an array of pins adapted to be accommodated within said array of staple delivery shafts and means for driving said array of pins through said array of staple delivery shafts such that said plurality of staples is ejected therefrom.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 32 words

The instrument of claim 13, wherein said anvil comprises an array of staple deforming means thereon, said array of staple deforming means being axially aligned with said array of staple delivery shafts.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 16 words

The instrument of claim 12, wherein said staple delivery shafts are disposed in a non-circular arrangement.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 16 words

The instrument of claim 15 wherein said staple deforming means are disposed in a non-circular arrangement.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 12 words

The instrument of claim 16 wherein said non-circular arrangement is tear-drop shape.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 119 words

A method for stapling a tubular tissue structure to a luminal structure, comprising the steps of: inserting a rod having a distally mounted anvil into the tubular tissue structure; inserting said rod and an end of said tubular tissue structure into a staple cartridge; everting the end of the tubular tissue structure proximate to said anvil over said staple cartridge; positioning said anvil in the luminal structure via a surgically formed opening in therein; and ejecting a plurality of staples from said tubular staple cartridge through the everted end of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 119 words

A method for stapling a tubular tissue structure to a luminal structure, comprising the steps of: inserting a rod having a distally mounted anvil into the tubular tissue structure; inserting said rod and an end of said tubular tissue structure into a staple cartridge; everting the end of the tubular tissue structure proximate to said anvil over said staple cartridge; positioning said anvil in the luminal structure via a surgically formed opening in therein; and ejecting a plurality of staples from said tubular staple cartridge through the everted end of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 18 wherein said bond created between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure is non-circular.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 19 wherein said bond has a tear drop shape.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 148 words

A method for stapling a tubular tissue structure to a luminal structure, comprising the steps of: inserting a rod having a centrally mounted anvil into the luminal structure via a surgically formed opening therein such that said rod transects opposing walls of the luminal structure and such that said anvil is positioned within the luminal structure; inserting one end of said rod into the tubular tissue structure; positioning the portion of said rod accommodating the tubular tissue structure and the accommodated end of the tubular tissue structure in a staple cartridge; everting said accommodated end of the tubular tissue structure over said staple cartridge; and ejecting a plurality of staples from said staple cartridge through said everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 148 words

A method for stapling a tubular tissue structure to a luminal structure, comprising the steps of: inserting a rod having a centrally mounted anvil into the luminal structure via a surgically formed opening therein such that said rod transects opposing walls of the luminal structure and such that said anvil is positioned within the luminal structure; inserting one end of said rod into the tubular tissue structure; positioning the portion of said rod accommodating the tubular tissue structure and the accommodated end of the tubular tissue structure in a staple cartridge; everting said accommodated end of the tubular tissue structure over said staple cartridge; and ejecting a plurality of staples from said staple cartridge through said everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 21 wherein said bond created between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure is non-circular.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 212 words

A surgical stapling instrument for stapling a tubular tissue structure having at least one distal end to a luminal structure such as a vascular lumen or another tubular tissue structure, comprising: an elongated rod having a transverse cross-sectional dimension sufficient to pass within the tubular tissue structure; an anvil coupled to said rod and configured to be positioned through a surgically formed opening in and to be accommodated within luminal structure; a staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and having an inner surface defining an inner passage extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, said passage being sufficiently dimensioned to axially accommodate the tubular tissue structure between said rod and the inner surface from the proximal end to the distal end of said staple cartridge, said staple cartridge further having an outer dimension sufficiently small to enable an everted portion of the tubular tissue structure to be everted over the distal end of said staple cartridge; and at least one driver pin moveable relative to said staple cartridge for ejecting said plurality of staples through the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 212 words

A surgical stapling instrument for stapling a tubular tissue structure having at least one distal end to a luminal structure such as a vascular lumen or another tubular tissue structure, comprising: an elongated rod having a transverse cross-sectional dimension sufficient to pass within the tubular tissue structure; an anvil coupled to said rod and configured to be positioned through a surgically formed opening in and to be accommodated within luminal structure; a staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and having an inner surface defining an inner passage extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, said passage being sufficiently dimensioned to axially accommodate the tubular tissue structure between said rod and the inner surface from the proximal end to the distal end of said staple cartridge, said staple cartridge further having an outer dimension sufficiently small to enable an everted portion of the tubular tissue structure to be everted over the distal end of said staple cartridge; and at least one driver pin moveable relative to said staple cartridge for ejecting said plurality of staples through the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 26 words

The stapling instrument of claim 23 further including: a securing device which removably secures the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure to the staple cartridge.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 27 words

The stapling instrument of claim 24 wherein, the securing device includes a string formed to secure the everted portion against an outer surface of the staple cartridge.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 37 words

The stapling instrument of claim 25 wherein, the securing device further includes a groove defined by the outer surface of the staple cartridge which cooperates with the string to secure the everted portion to the staple cartridge.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 17 words

The stapling instrument of claim 23 wherein, the distal end of the staple cartridge is tapered inwardly.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 25 words

The stapling instrument of claim 23 further including: a retaining device which removably retains a proximal end of the tubular tissue structure to the rod.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 31 words

The stapling instrument of claim 28 wherein, the retaining device includes a string formed to secure the proximal end of the tubular tissue structure against an outer surface of the rod.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 36 words

The stapling instrument of claim 29 wherein, the retaining device further includes a groove defined by the outer surface of the rod which cooperates with the string to retain the tubular tissue structure to the rod.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 28 words

The stapling instrument of claim 23 wherein, the staple cartridge and the anvil cooperate with the driver pin to dispose the plurality of staples in a non-circular arrangement.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 214 words

An end-to-side surgical stapling instrument for stapling a tubular tissue structure having at least one distal end to a side of a luminal structure such as a vascular lumen or another tubular tissue structure, comprising: an elongated rod having a transverse cross-sectional dimension sufficient to pass within the tubular tissue structure; a disk-shaped anvil coupled to a distal end of said rod and having relatively low side profile extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, and configured to be positioned through a surgically formed opening in the side of and to be accommodated within luminal structure; a staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and having an inner surface defining an inner passage sufficient to axially accommodate the tubular tissue structure between said rod and the inner surface, and having an outer dimension sufficiently small to enable an everted portion of the tubular tissue structure to be everted over the distal end of said staple cartridge; and at least one driver pin moveable relative to said staple cartridge for ejecting said plurality of staples through the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the side of the luminal structure.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 214 words

An end-to-side surgical stapling instrument for stapling a tubular tissue structure having at least one distal end to a side of a luminal structure such as a vascular lumen or another tubular tissue structure, comprising: an elongated rod having a transverse cross-sectional dimension sufficient to pass within the tubular tissue structure; a disk-shaped anvil coupled to a distal end of said rod and having relatively low side profile extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, and configured to be positioned through a surgically formed opening in the side of and to be accommodated within luminal structure; a staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and having an inner surface defining an inner passage sufficient to axially accommodate the tubular tissue structure between said rod and the inner surface, and having an outer dimension sufficiently small to enable an everted portion of the tubular tissue structure to be everted over the distal end of said staple cartridge; and at least one driver pin moveable relative to said staple cartridge for ejecting said plurality of staples through the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create a bond between the tubular tissue structure and the side of the luminal structure.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 15 words

The stapling instrument of claim 32 wherein, an outer edge of the anvil is beveled.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 12 words

The stapling instrument of claim 32 wherein, the disk-shaped anvil is circular.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 13 words

The stapling instrument of claim 32 wherein, the disk-shaped anvil is tear-drop shaped.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 26 words

The stapling instrument of claim 32 further including: a securing device which removably secures the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure to the staple cartridge.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 28 words

The stapling instrument of claim 32 wherein, the staple cartridge and the anvil cooperate with the driver pin to dispose the plurality of staples in a non-circular arrangement.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 215 words

A surgical stapling instrument for stapling a tubular tissue structure having at least one distal end to a luminal structure such as a vascular lumen or another tubular tissue structure, comprising: an elongated rod having a transverse cross-sectional dimension sufficient to pass within the tubular tissue structure; an anvil coupled to said rod and configured to be positioned through a surgically formed opening in and to be accommodated within luminal structure; an elongated housing defining a bore formed and dimensioned for sliding receipt of the rod therein; a disposable staple cartridge formed to removable couple to said housing and containing a plurality of predisposed staples therein, said staple cartridge having an inner surface defining an inner passage sufficiently dimensioned to axially accommodate the tubular tissue structure between said rod and the inner surface, and further having an outer dimension sufficiently small to enable an everted portion of the tubular tissue structure to be everted over the distal end of said staple cartridge; and at least one driver pin movable relative to said staple cartridge for ejecting said plurality of staples through the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create an anastomotic bond between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 215 words

A surgical stapling instrument for stapling a tubular tissue structure having at least one distal end to a luminal structure such as a vascular lumen or another tubular tissue structure, comprising: an elongated rod having a transverse cross-sectional dimension sufficient to pass within the tubular tissue structure; an anvil coupled to said rod and configured to be positioned through a surgically formed opening in and to be accommodated within luminal structure; an elongated housing defining a bore formed and dimensioned for sliding receipt of the rod therein; a disposable staple cartridge formed to removable couple to said housing and containing a plurality of predisposed staples therein, said staple cartridge having an inner surface defining an inner passage sufficiently dimensioned to axially accommodate the tubular tissue structure between said rod and the inner surface, and further having an outer dimension sufficiently small to enable an everted portion of the tubular tissue structure to be everted over the distal end of said staple cartridge; and at least one driver pin movable relative to said staple cartridge for ejecting said plurality of staples through the everted portion of the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure to engage said anvil to deform said staples and create an anastomotic bond between the tubular tissue structure and the luminal structure.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 83 words

The stapling instrument of claim 38 wherein, said one driver pin comprises an array of pins fixedly mounted to and extending outward from a face wall at the distal end of the housing, and said staple cartridge defining an array of staple delivery shafts each having a staple predisposed therein, and each shaft further configured to slidingly accommodate one driver pin of the array of pins therein in a direction toward the staple and the anvil to eject the staple from the cartridge.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 35 words

The stapling instrument of claim 39 further including: a clamping mechanism which selectively urges the anvil and the array of pins toward one another to enable ejection of the array of staples from the cartridge.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 16 words

The stapling instrument of claim 40 wherein, said array of pins are disposed around the bore.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 28 words

The stapling instrument of claim 40 wherein, said anvil includes an array of staple deforming slots therein positioned in axial alignment with the array of staple delivery pins.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 33 words

The stapling instrument of claim 42 further including: an alignment device operatively engaged between the pins and the anvil to align the array of pins with the corresponding deforming slots in the anvil.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-01-19	2001-07-21	2002-01-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-01-19	2005-07-21	2006-01-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-01-19	2009-07-21	2010-01-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Surgical stapling instrument and method thereof

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