Surgical stapling instrument for applying a large staple through a small delivery port and a method of using the surgical stapler to secure a tissue fold

摘要

A low-profile surgical stapler enables a large-sized staple to be delivered into a body cavity through a small opening or port. The surgical stapler includes a handle having a trigger movably coupled to the handle. The surgical stapler also includes an elongated, tubular shaft extends distally from the handle. The tubular shaft includes a proximal end secured to the handle and a distal end in which a deployment opening is formed. A staple deploying assembly is disposed within an interior of the shaft for discharging staples from the deployment opening at the distal end of the shaft, the staple deploying assembly supporting a staple such that a longitudinal axis of the staple is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The deployment opening is shaped and dimensioned to permit the deployment of the staples from within the shaft, out of the deployment opening and into adjacent tissue.

主权项

1. A low-profile surgical stapler that enables a large-sized staple to be delivered into a body cavity through a small opening or port, comprising:
a handle having a trigger movably coupled to the handle; an elongated, tubular shaft having a longitudinal axis and extending distally from the handle, the tubular shaft includes a proximal end secured to the handle and a distal end in which a deployment opening is formed; a staple deploying assembly is disposed within an interior of the shaft for discharging staples from the deployment opening at the distal end of the shaft, the staple deploying assembly supporting a staple such that a longitudinal axis of the staple is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the shaft, the staple having a length dimension bigger than a diameter of the shaft, the staple, prior to deployment, includes a long body segment having a longitudinal axis and first and second prongs, with sharpened end tips, extending transversely from opposite ends of the body segment; the body segment of the staple includes a first leg and a second leg, and the staple deploying assembly includes a first staple driver and a second staple driver extending longitudinally through the shaft, the first staple driver acting upon the first leg of the staple to bend the first leg relative to the second leg and the second staple driver acting upon the second leg of the staple to bend the second leg relative to the first leg; wherein the deployment opening is shaped and dimensioned to permit deployment of the staples from within the shaft, out of the deployment opening and into adjacent tissue.