Surgical stapling device with a curved end effector

The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a cutting member having a cutting surface, wherein the cutting member is relatively movable with respect to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, one of the anvil and the staple cartridge defines a slot which is configured to receive at least a portion of the cutting member and guide the cutting member as it is moved relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In these embodiments, the slot can define a path having linear and/or curved portions. In various embodiments, the path can include a curved portion having a first portion that extends away from the shaft axis and a second portion that extends toward the axis. In one embodiment, the path can include a curved portion defined by an arc corresponding to an angle greater than 90 degrees.

Curved end effector for a surgical stapling device

The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a curved end-effector which is configured to deploy staples in at least one curved staple line. In various embodiments, the surgical stapler includes a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a cutting member having a cutting surface wherein the cutting member is relatively movable with respect to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In one embodiment, the staple cartridge can be configured to deploy staples along different, non-parallel axes. As a result, the staples can be deployed in a significantly curved staple line. In various embodiments, the surgical stapler includes a flexible driver operably engaged with the cutting member to move the cutting member relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In these embodiments, the driver can include an elongate cross-section defined by a width and a height wherein its width is greater, and in some cases, substantially greater, than its height.

Apparatus for closing a curved anvil of a surgical stapling device

The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a cutting member having a cutting surface, wherein the cutting member is relatively movable with respect to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil is movable between an open position and a partially-closed position. When the anvil is in its partially-closed position, the anvil and the staple cartridge can be configured to capture tissue therebetween without fully compressing the tissue. In at least one embodiment, the anvil includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a middle portion intermediate the proximal portion and the distal portion. In these embodiments, the tissue can be captured between the proximal and distal portions of the anvil before the middle portion of the anvil is brought into contact with the tissue.

Buttress material for use with a surgical stapler

In various embodiments of the present invention, a piece of buttress material can be configured to match a curved profile of the anvil and/or staple cartridge of a surgical stapler. In at least one embodiment, the piece of buttress material can include first and second edges extending between first and second ends. In these embodiments, the first edge can be defined by a first radius of curvature and the second edge can be defined by a second radius of curvature wherein the second radius of curvature is larger than the first radius of curvature. In at least one embodiment, the anvil and/or staple cartridge can include a surface configured for receiving a piece of buttress material thereon and a lip which at least partially extends along the periphery thereof wherein the lip can be configured to reduce relative movement between the piece of buttress material and the surface.

Surgical stapler end effector with tapered distal end

An end effector for a surgical stapler. Various embodiments include a channel configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein. A first tip portion is attached to or formed on a distal end of one of the channel and staple cartridge wherein the first tip portion may have a first upwardly extending curved outer surface. An anvil is movably coupled to the channel and is selectively movable between open and closed positions relative to the staple cartridge in response to opening and closing motions applied to the anvil. A second tip portion is attached to or formed on a distal end thereof. The second tip portion may have a second downwardly extending curved surface such that when the anvil is in the closed position, the second tip portion cooperates with the first tip portion to define a blunt end effector nose. In various embodiments, the end effector nose has a substantially paraboloid outer surface.

Surgical stapling device with a curved cutting member

The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a curved end-effector which is configured to deploy staples in at least one curved staple line. The surgical stapler can include a staple cartridge configured to removably store staples therein, an anvil configured to deform the staples, and a cutting member having a cutting surface. The staple cartridge and/or anvil can include a curved slot configured for receiving and guiding the cutting member wherein at least a portion of the cutting member can be defined by a curvature that substantially matches the curvature of the slot. In these embodiments, the curved cutting member can be easily moved within the curved slot thereby reducing the possibility that the cutting member will become stuck within the slot.

Surgical stapling device having supports for a flexible drive mechanism

The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a staple cartridge, an anvil, a cutting member having a cutting surface, and a driver operably engaged with the cutting member to move the cutting member relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, one of the anvil and the staple cartridge defines a slot which is configured to receive at least a portion of the cutting member and guide the cutting member as it is moved relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In these embodiments, the slot can also be configured to receive a portion of the driver operably engaged with cutting member and support the driver when it moves the cutting member. In at least one embodiment, the slot is defined by at least one radius of curvature.

Adjustable compression staple and method for stapling with adjustable compression

A compression-self-adjusting staple includes a substantially U-shaped staple body and a compression device. The staple body has a bridge and two legs extending from the bridge at an angle thereto. Each of the legs has a base end integral with the bridge and a deformable distal end defining a stapling point shaped to pierce material to be stapled. The compression device is at least partly disposed between the legs and has a bias portion with a compression surface movably disposed between the legs and a compression resistor connected to the bridge and to the compression surface and formed to resist movement of the compression surface towards the bridge with a force.

Anti-slip protection device for a housing head of medical instruments

The invention relates to an anti-slip protection device for a housing head (21) for medical instruments (20), especially intraluminal instruments (20) for resection or anastomosis operations, comprising a terminal device (2) which can be fixed to the housing head (21) in such a way as to project out and which can be remote-controllably removed from the housing head in at least two sections (3, 4).

Fabrication of twisted and non-twisted nanofiber yarns

The present invention is directed to methods of making nanofiber yarns. In some embodiments, the nanotube yarns comprise carbon nanotubes. Particularly, such carbon nanotube yarns of the present invention provide unique properties and property combinations such as extreme toughness, resistance to failure at knots, high electrical and thermal conductivities, high absorption of energy that occurs reversibly, up to 13% strain-to-failure compared with the few percent strain-to-failure of other fibers with similar toughness, very high resistance to creep, retention of strength even when heated in air at 450° C. for one hour, and very high radiation and UV resistance, even when irradiated in air.