The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 21, 2008
Filed:
Jun. 29, 2007
Christopher J. Hess, Cincinnati, OH (US);
William B. Weisenburgh, Ii, Maineville, OH (US);
Christopher J. Hess, Cincinnati, OH (US);
William B. Weisenburgh, II, Maineville, OH (US);
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
An anvil of a surgical stapler including releasable pocket elements that can capture ends of fired staples. In various embodiments, the pocket elements can be released from the anvil such that the pocket elements remain with the staples and stapled tissue after the stapler has been fired. When deployed, the ends of the staples may be turned, or bent, by the pocket elements and then contact a staple-end retaining surface of the pocket element that prevents the ends of the staples from re-puncturing or re-penetrating the tissue. In various embodiments, forces created during the stapling and/or cutting actions of the stapler can overcome a pressure-fit force retaining the pocket elements in the anvil such that the pocket elements are released upon firing. In various embodiments, the staples can have a dissolvable or bioabsorbable crown which can release pressure on the stapled tissue as it is dissolved or absorbed.