Patent ID: 9636111
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A method of stapling tissues of differing thicknesses with a uniform size staple assembly comprising: providing a surgical stapler having a staple head containing a staple and an anvil, the anvil and staple head being relatively movable, the anvil releasably containing a staple block formed from a material and defining a rectangular configuration having a length, a width less than the length, and a height less than the length, the staple block including an exterior having four sides extending along the length of the staple block and opposed ends extending along the width of the staple block; capturing tissue having a thickness between the staple head and the anvil; and passing the staple through the captured tissue such that tips of the staple move toward one another along parallel axes to pierce the opposed ends of the exterior of the staple block, extend into the staple block, and lodge within the staple block at a depth proportional to the thickness and in a position wherein the tips are oriented in opposite directions in parallel orientation relative to the four sides of the staple block.