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:
Mar. 04, 2014
Filed:
Oct. 03, 2008
Keith Milliman, Bethel, CT (US);
Kevin Sniffen, Danbury, CT (US);
Joseph P. Orban, Iii, Norwalk, CT (US);
Lisa W. Heaton, Shelton, CT (US);
Keith Milliman, Bethel, CT (US);
Kevin Sniffen, Danbury, CT (US);
Joseph P. Orban, III, Norwalk, CT (US);
Lisa W. Heaton, Shelton, CT (US);
Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US);
Abstract
A method of deforming a plurality of surgical fasteners is provided. The method includes the step of providing a surgical instrument having a loading unit supporting the plurality of surgical fasteners in an array, the surgical instrument having a handle, a distal link, an intermediate link, and a proximal link. The method further includes the steps of moving the handle in a direction to pivot the intermediate link to a position in which the distal link, intermediate link, and proximal link have a fully-extended position, compressing a spring disposed adjacent the proximal link, deforming the surgical fasteners, moving the handle further in the direction, pivoting the intermediate link to another position in which the distal link, intermediate link, and proximal link have a deflected position and releasing the surgical fasteners from the loading unit.