Ethicon, Gmbh

James D Hughett

Richard F Schwemberger

Michael A Murray

Randy R Stephens

John F Love

Thomas E Warman

George D Smith

A surgical stapler having a trigger attached to a ratcheting mechanism for preventing the refiring of the stapler trigger with a staple loaded within a forming mechanism. In addition, the mechanism contains driver buffering means to prevent the sharp reduction in opposing force driving formation of a staple. The staples are constantly maintained in proper orientation during transfer from a track to the forming site, and are self-centering on the former, and have an oversized crown so that cold-worked areas on each staple do not hinder forming.

Rotating head skin stapler

A surgical stapler includes a moving driver and an anvil moving in the same direction as the driver to pick off a staple from a supply, and to transport it to a forming station. The anvil is there stopped, but the driver continues to move forwardly forming the staple about the anvil. The anvil is locked against retraction until the driver is partially retracted in order to facilitate staple ejection. A drive linkage includes a four-bar linkage and a trigger mounted cam drive for dispersing required input forces over the trigger movement and minimizing force variations and maximum input. Modular features and construction provide use and manufacturing advantages. Methods are included.

Surgical stapler and methods

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

James D Hughett