Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US4619262?dq=mezick
Timestamp: 2016-07-30 11:10:05
Document Index: 264863368

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 1', 'art 2', 'arts 1', 'arts 1', 'art 1', 'arts 1', 'arts 16', 'arts 16', 'arts 18', 'arts 1', 'arts 16', 'art 16', 'art 16', 'art 16', 'art 18', 'arts 18', 'art 16', 'art 18', 'art 16', 'art 18', 'arts 16', 'arts 18', 'arts 1', 'arts 1', 'arts 1', 'arts 16', 'arts 18', 'arts 16', 'arts 18', 'arts 15', 'arts 18', 'art 2', 'art 2']

Patent US4619262 - Surgical stapling device - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA surgical stapling device loaded with staples each having a pair of parallel limbs bridged by a straight crosspiece. In operation, as the limbs are implanted by the device on opposite sides of a skin incision, they are bent inwardly toward each other below the skin surface to close the incision, the...http://www.google.com/patents/US4619262?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US4619262 - Surgical stapling deviceAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS4619262 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 06/741,483Publication dateOct 28, 1986Filing dateJun 5, 1985Priority dateJul 10, 1984Fee statusLapsedPublication number06741483, 741483, US 4619262 A, US 4619262A, US-A-4619262, US4619262 A, US4619262AInventorsJames TaylorOriginal AssigneeSyncare, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (4), Referenced by (289), Classifications (5), Legal Events (11) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetSurgical stapling device
US 4619262 AAbstract
A surgical stapling device loaded with staples each having a pair of parallel limbs bridged by a straight crosspiece. In operation, as the limbs are implanted by the device on opposite sides of a skin incision, they are bent inwardly toward each other below the skin surface to close the incision, the crosspiece being bent to create an arched air gap above the skin surface to allow space for post-operative swelling and to facilitate subsequent removal of the staple. In the device, a row of staples straddling a rail are advanced toward a metal mandrel projecting from the front end of the rail into an outlet. The mandrel, which has an arched formation, is flanked by a pair of abutments on the front end of the rail whereby the foremost staple in the advancing row is deposited onto the mandrel. Cooperating with the mandrel is a plate-like former whose leading edge has a recess therein leading to an inner arched section which conforms to the arched mandrel. When the device is actuated, the leading edge of the former which is normally retracted from the mandrel, advances toward the mandrel, the former sliding along the end abutments of the rail and causing the staple engaged thereby to emerge from the outlet, in the course of which movement the staple is implanted in the skin and is formed on the mandrel to assume the desired configuration.
1. A surgical stapling device for forming and implanting a staple formed of a deformable wire and having a pair of parallel limbs bridged by a straight crosspiece into the skin of a patient undergoing a surgical procedure, the device comprising:A. a housing having an outlet; B. a rail disposed in the housing having a row of staples straddled thereon and a metal mandrel projecting from the front end of the rail into the outlet; C. pusher means on said rail to advance said row toward said mandrel to cause the foremost staple to be deposited on the mandrel, the mandrel being a solid plate and having an arched shape and being flanked on opposite sides by a pair of abutments on the front end of the rail; D. a plate-like former disposed in the housing, the leading edge of the former having a recess therein leading to a complementary arched section which conforms to the arched shape of the mandrel, said former being normally retracted from the mandrel to assume an inoperative position; and E. actuating means operatively coupled to the former to advance the former from its inoperative position to slide along the abutments at the front end of the rail to an operative position, in the course of which the mandrel is received within the recess in the former and the limbs of the staple engaged by the leading edge of the former are extended from the outlet to a degree sufficient to penetrate the skin of a patient on opposite sides of an incision to be closed, the deformable limbs being caused to bend inwardly by the coacting former and mandrel toward each other to close the incision, and the deformable crosspiece being bent to create an arched air gap above the skin to accommodate post-operative swelling. 2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rail is formed of plastic material and said mandrel is formed of steel.
3. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pusher means is a spring-biased shoe which rides on said rail.
4. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the trailing end of the former is bent to form a lug for advancing the former.
5. A device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said actuating means is constituted by a handle which is pivoted to the housing and is biased to normally swing outwardly therefrom, said handle having a slot in its nose in which the former lug is received, whereby when the handle is swung inwardly toward the housing, the former is advanced thereby.
6. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mandrel arch has an arcuate form, and said recess conforms thereto.
7. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mandrel arch has a three-sided geometric form, and said recess conforms thereto.
8. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing is formed by a pair of complementary molded plastic pieces.
9. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said mandrel is provided with a blade-like rear anchor which is embedded in the front end of the plastic rail.
This invention relates generally to surgical stapling devices, and more particularly to a device which forms a standard surgical staple having a pair of parallel limbs bridged by a straight crosspiece whereby when the device is actuated, the limbs are implanted on opposite sides of a skin incision and are bent inwardly toward each other below the skin surface to close the incision, the crosspiece being bent to create an arched air gap above the skin surface to allow space for post-operative swelling and to facilitate subsequent removal of the staple.
In surgical procedures, the conventional skin closure technique involves a needle and a suture thread. Such suturing leaves crosshatching across the scar line as a result of pressure applied to the region during the healing process. It has therefore become cosmetically desirable to achieve an effective wound closure with the minimum amount of crosshatching.
The use of surgical stapling devices is well known. These devices make use of standard staples having a pair of parallel limbs bridged by a straight crosspiece, the limbs being implanted in the skin on opposite sides of the incision and being bent inwardly toward each other to form a loop closing the incision.
Surgeons have been making increasing use of surgical stapling devices rather than conventional thread sutures in that it is a less difficult and much faster procedure. The use of surgical staples reduces the time required for suturing and hence the length of time a patient must be maintained under anaesthesia.
Among prior art patents which disclose surgical staplers are the Becht U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,179,057 and 4,109,844, and the Warman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,378. Also of prior art interest are Fishberg, U.S. Pat. No. 3,873,016; Hasaka, U.S. Pat. No. 3,889,338; and Furutu, U.S. Pat. No. 4,187,970.
In the course of healing, all wounds swell due to edema, thereby filling the air gap between the wound and the straight crosspiece of the staple and giving rise to crosshatching. Thus known types of surgical staplers do not overcome the cross-hatching problem and its adverse effects. Moreover, because the air gap is filled with swollen tissue, it becomes difficult when the staples are later to be removed from the wound, to insert the staple remover under the staple crosspiece without inflicting tissue trauma and thereby causing discomfort to the patient.
In view of the foregoing, the main object of this invention is to provide an improved surgical stapling device for closing incisions made in the skin.
More particularly, an object of this invention is to provide a surgical stapling device which implants standard surgical staples into the skin and so forms the staple as to raise a portion thereof above the skin surface to create an arched air gap having the following advantages:
A. The raised staple allows space for edema or post-operative swelling.
B. It lessens scarring and crosshatching, for it does not strangulate the skin tissue.
C. It facilitates subsequent removal of the staple in that it permits easy insertion of the staple remover under the staple crosspiece, thereby minimizing tissue trauma and discomfort to the patient.
Also an object of the invention is to provide a surgical stapling device which prevents undesirable twisting of the staple during its formation.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device of simple, yet efficient and reliable construction, whereby the surgical stapling device may be made in low-cost disposable form.
Briefly stated, these objects are attained in a surgical stapling device loaded with staples each having a pair of parallel limbs bridged by a straight crosspiece. In operation, as the limbs are implanted by the device on opposite sides of a skin incision, they are bent inwardly toward each other below the skin surface to close the incision, the crosspiece being bent to create an arched air gap above the skin surface to allow space for post-operative swe11ing and to facilitate subsequent removal of the staple. In the device, a row of staples straddling a rail are advanced toward a metal mandrel projecting from the front end of the rail into an outlet. The mandrel, which has an arched formation, is flanked by a pair of abutments on the front end of the rail whereby the foremost staple in the advancing row is deposited onto the mandrel. Cooperating with the mandrel is a plate-like former whose leading edge has a recess therein leading to an inner arched section which conforms to the arched mandrel. When the device is actuated, the leading edge of the former which is normally retracted from the mandrel, advances toward the mandrel, the former sliding along the end abutments of the rail and causing the staple engaged thereby to emerge from the outlet, in the course of which movement the staple is implanted in the skin and is formed on the mandrel to assume the desired configuration.
FIG. 1 is a side view of a surgical stapling device according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the device shown with a housing part removed;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view in a larger scale along the plane indicated by line A--A in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a skin incision closed by a conventional staple;
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a skin incision closed by a staple formed by a device according to the invention;
FIG. 6 is an end view of the former included in the device of FIGS. 1 to 3;
FIG. 7 is an end view of an alternative embodiment of former and a mandrel usable in a device according to the invention;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the mandrel and rail included in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2;
FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are side, plan and end views, respectively, of the mandrel included in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 12 is an end view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in the drawings, a skin closure surgical stapling device in accordance with the invention comprises a housing formed of a complementary pair of injection-molded plastic parts 1 and 2. These housing parts are joined together by deformable plastic fasteners 3 which engage bosses 4, 5 and 6 (shown only in respect to housing part 2) and by welding along the mutually interengaging peripheral walls. Housing 1-2 is slotted along its underside 7 to receive a handle 8 formed of an injection-molded plastic material. Handle 8 is provided with integrally molded pivots which are received in respective short sleeves 10 molded integrally with housing parts 1 and 2.
A spring arm 11 which may be of leaf spring metal or plastic material, extends from an upper edge of handle 8 and abuts boss 6, the spring acting to urge the handle outwardly to the extended position illustrated in full line in FIG. 2. In this position, a nose portion of handle 8 abuts boss 5 to limit outward movement of the handle relative to the housing under the action of spring 11.
A former 12 defined by a sheet metal plate is so disposed in the housing as to be slidable relative thereto between an upper inoperative limit position and a lower operative limit position. Former 12 lies between boss 4 and the adjacent peripheral end walls of the respective housing parts 1 and 2 which define a guide for sliding movement of the former.
Boss 4 has a surface facing former 12 which is spaced from the adjacent wall of housing part 1, 2 by a distance which is only marginally greater than the thickness of the former. The width of former 12 is marginally less than the distance between the internal side faces of the housing so that the two housing parts 1 and 2 define a guide to ensure that former 12 does not become misaligned during its sliding movement.
At its lower or leading edge (as viewed in FIG. 6), former 12 is provided with a recess having an inner arched section 13 merging with a straight entry section 13E whose edges are chamfered. The arched section of recess 13 in the present embodiment is arcuate, but an angular three-sided geometric arch section is also envisaged, as illustrated by the geometric arch 13' shown in FIG. 7.
At its upper end, former 12 is provided with an offset lug 14 which is turned out of the general plane of former 12 so as to lie substantially perpendicular thereto. Lug 14 is received within a slot 15 formed in the nose of handle 8. The orientation and shape of slot 15 is such that, throughout movement of handle 8, it acts on lug 14 in a direction which is parallel to the intended direction of sliding movement of former 12.
A detent and release mechanism is provided for controlling sliding movement of former 12. This mechanism includes a pair of first parts 16 mounted on the upper edge of handle 8 (as viewed in FIG. 2) through the intermediary of a resilient support plate 17. Plate 17 and the first parts 16 are molded integrally with handle 8. The detent and release mechanism also includes a pair of second parts 18 which are molded integrally with the respective housing parts 1 and 2 so as to extend inwardly from the side walls thereof.
Each of first parts 16 includes a ribbed portion 16a whose ribs extend laterally relative to the direction of movement of the part during pivotal movement of the handle. Each first part 16 further includes a chamfered leading edge 16b and a portion 16c which is inclined with respect to the portion 16a and has a smooth surface. The portion 16c is inclined at an angle of about 45� to the general direction of movement of first part 16 and is disposed on the opposite side of first part 16 to the associated second part 18 when handle 8 is in the position shown in full line in FIG. 2; i.e., the inoperative position of former 12.
Each of second parts 18 includes a ribbed portion 18a whose ribs extend laterally relative to the direction of movement of first part 16. Each second part 18 further includes a chamfered leading edge 18b and a portion 18c which is inclined with respect to the portion 18a and which has a smooth surface. Portion 18c is inclined at an angle of about 45� to the general direction of movement of first part 16 and is disposed on the opposite side of second part 18 to the ribbed portion 18a. Portion 18c is disposed in the path of movement of portion 16c with the plate 17 in an unflexed condition (as illustrated in FIG. 2). As can be seen from FIG. 3, first parts 16 are supported only at their mutually inwardly-facing edge, whereas second parts 18 are supported only at their mutually outwardly-facing edges.
Provided in the lower region of the housing and adjacent to an outlet 19 therein is a staple indexer 20. The indexer, as best seen in FIG. 8, comprises a plastic rail 20a and a steel mandrel 20b. Plastic rail 20a extends into a magazine 21 (see FIG. 2) containing surgical closure elements in the form of a row of staples (not shown) which straddle the rail. The rail is joined to the housing by ultrasonic welding.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, mandrel 20b has an arched position 24 and a plate-like anchor position 25, both portions having a locating hole (26 and 26'). The plastic rail 20a is formed by injection molding, one end of rail 20a being molded around anchor position 25 and part of the arched portion 24 of the mandrel so that the plastic material enters the locating holes 26 and 26' and serves to securely retain mandrel 20b in its position at the front end of the rail.
The arched portion 24 of the mandrel is of a shape and size corresponding to the arched recess 13 in former 12 (see FIG. 6). Mandrel 20b has a free end opposite anchor portion 25 which is embedded in the end 28 of rail 20a. The location for forming the staples lies between the free end of the mandrel and end 28 of rail 20a. End 29 of rail 20a is configured to form a pair of abutment surfaces 29 on either side of mandrel 20b where it joins rail 20a. These abutment surfaces 29 extend generally perpendicularly to the mandrel in a downward direction (i.e., on an opposite side of the mandrel to the former 12) and are adjacent the location for forming staples.
In operation, former 12 acts upon the crosspiece of the staple on the mandrel and causes the side limbs thereof to abut against abutment surfaces 29 as it is being bent downwardly by former 12. The abutment of the staples against surfaces 29 during forming prevents the formation of a twisted staple.
The spring-biased pusher shoe 22 serves to urge the staples along rail 20a toward mandrel 20b at the forming location of the staples which is disposed in the path of movement of former 12. Abutment surfaces 29 are spaced from the housing parts 1 and 2 by a gap and lie at an angle of about 2� to the inner face of these parts, thus providing a tapered gap which is wider at the top than at the bottom between abutment surfaces 29 and housing parts 1 and 2. The minimum thickness of the gap is marginally less than the thickness of a staple.
In operation, as shown in FIG. 12, a staple 30 will be retained on the mandrel if the handle is released when the staple is only partially formed because the depending limbs of the staple will be frictionally held between abutment surfaces 29 and the housing parts 1 and 2. When the staple is completely shaped to assume form 30', it is no longer held between the abutment surfaces and the housing and is of a shape capable of passing through outlet 19. This feature allows partial formation of the staple 30 prior to placing it over the skin incision and completing the closure without the danger of the partially formed staple dropping out of the device.
The surgical stapling device is positioned on the skin of the patient so that outlet 19 lies across the incision to be closed. Then by squeezing handle 8 against the action of the spring arm 11, this causes former 12 to be driven downwardly so that its lower end passes the mandrel 20b which is accommodated in the arched recess 13 at this stage. During squeezing of handle 8, the first parts 16 of the detent mechanism are moved toward the respective second parts 18 until leading edges 16b and 18b come into mutual engagement. Further movement of handle 8 causes leading edges 16b to ride over edges 18b, this being permitted by resilient flexing of support plate 17, so that the ribbed portions 16a and 18a come into mutual engagement.
The angles of inclination of the sides of the ribs on the ribbed portions 16a and 18a are chosen so that the ribs on the ribbed portions 16a can ride over the ribs of the ribbed portions 18c when handle 8 is squeezed. However, upon release of handle 8, movement of handle 8 and thus former 12 in the opposite direction under the action of spring arm 11 is prevented by interlocking the ribs of the ribbed portions 16a and 18a.
This interlocking action can occur at a plurality of positions intermediate the limit position of movement of former 12 because of a plurality of ribs are provided. Thus, close control over various stages in the formation of a staple can be exercised by the operator because the mechanism can hold handle 8 until the staple is finally closed. In this condition, first parts 16 have moved beyond the respective second parts 18 and, upon release of handle 8, spring 11 returns handle 8 and former 12 back to the original position (as shown in FIG. 2) because the plate 17 flexes back to its original position and brings the smooth portions 16c and 18c into alignment so that the parts 15 are free to ride back over the respective parts 18.
During the staple closing stage, the points of the staple enter the skin on opposite sides of the incision and the limbs bend inwardly toward each other so that the incision in the skin is closed thereby. It will be appreciated that deformation of the crosspiece of the staple occurs as a result of contact with mandrel 20b and with portions of the lower end of the former 12 on opposite sides of the arched recess 13.
The final arched shape of the crosspiece causes an arched air gap to exist between the skin incisions and the crosspiece of the staple even when the wound swells during healing. The portion of handle 8 under slot 15 abuts the upper surfaces of boss 14 to limit inward movement of the handle, thereby limiting movement of former 12 in the direction of mandrel 20b. This movement is arranged so that the free end of mandrel 20b is not so securely trapped between the staple and the skin that it cannot be removed when the staple has been fixed in position. The position of handle 8 at this stage is indicated in chain dot line in FIG. 2.
When handle 8 has been released, as described above, former 12 is clear of mandrel 20b so as to permit pusher shoe 22 to advance the row of staples to place a fresh staple in the path of movement of former 12. In order to give the operator an indication of the number of staples left in the magazine, a slot 23 is provided in housing part 2 adjacent magazine 27. Pusher shoe 22, which can be viewed through this slot 23, is preferably of a contrasting color to that of housing part 2. In this way, the position of shoe 22 can be readily seen, and the operator then knows the extent to which the staple supply has been depleted.
While there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE in accordance with the invention, it will be appreciated that many changes and modifications may be made therein without, however, departing from the essential spirit thereof. Thus, a stapler may be made without the detent and release mechanism. And scale indicia may be inscribed along the edge of the housing under slot 23 so that the surgeon can use this scale to space the staples applied along the incision line.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4411378 *Jan 28, 1981Oct 25, 1983Senco Products, Inc.Disposable surgical stapling instrument having an anvil with coextensive lateral flangesEP0069557A2 *Jul 2, 1982Jan 12, 1983Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.Surgical staplerWO1981002269A1 *Feb 12, 1981Aug 20, 1981Technalytics IncA surgical stapling system,apparatus and stapleWO1982002486A1 *Jan 22, 1982Aug 5, 1982Weck & Co Inc EdwardSkin clip applier* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4747531 *Mar 23, 1987May 31, 1988Ethicon, Inc.Anvil and driver assembly for a surgical skin stapling instrumentUS4869243 *Feb 26, 1988Sep 26, 1989Huene Donald RDevice and method for joining fractured bonesUS4887601 *Nov 6, 1987Dec 19, 1989Ophthalmic Ventures Limited PartnershipAdjustable surgical staple and method of using the sameUS4895289 *Jan 12, 1989Jan 23, 1990Ophthalmic Ventures Limited PartnershipOphthalmic staplerUS5044540 *Mar 5, 1990Sep 3, 1991Micro Precision, Inc.Surgical stapling instrumentUS5114065 *Nov 26, 1990May 19, 1992Technalytics, Inc.Surgical staplerUS5156315 *Apr 26, 1991Oct 20, 1992United States Surgical CorporationArcuate apparatus for applying two-part surgical fastenersUS5181645 *Jan 22, 1992Jan 26, 1993Matsutani Seisakusho Co., Ltd.Medical staplerUS5201416 *Oct 22, 1990Apr 13, 1993Edward Weck IncorporatedHemostatic clip cartridgeUS5253793 *Feb 6, 1991Oct 19, 1993United States Surgical CorporationApparatus for applying two-part surgical fastenersUS5279416 *Jun 5, 1992Jan 18, 1994Edward Weck IncorporatedLigating device cartridge with separable retainerUS5379933 *Jun 15, 1993Jan 10, 1995United States Surgical CorporationArcuate apparatus for applying two-part surgical fastenersUS5413557 *Aug 24, 1993May 9, 1995Pameda N.V.Dilatation catheter with eccentric balloonUS5485947 *Mar 18, 1994Jan 23, 1996Ethicon, Inc.Linear stapling mechanism with cutting meansUS6131789 *Apr 25, 1994Oct 17, 2000Ethicon, Inc.Surgical staplerUS6228098 *Jul 10, 1998May 8, 2001General Surgical Innovations, Inc.Apparatus and method for surgical fasteningUS6652538 *May 8, 2001Nov 25, 2003General Surgical Innovations, Inc.Apparatus and method for surgical fasteningUS7112214Jun 25, 2003Sep 26, 2006Incisive Surgical, Inc.Dynamic bioabsorbable fastener for use in wound closureUS7458494 *Feb 21, 2006Dec 2, 2008Mani, Inc.Surgical stapler with sound producing mechanism to signal the completion of the stapling processUS7506791Sep 29, 2006Mar 24, 2009Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument with mechanical mechanism for limiting maximum tissue compressionUS7547315Dec 3, 2004Jun 16, 2009Incisive Surgical, Inc.Mechanical method and apparatus for tissue fasteningUS7604151Oct 20, 2009Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling systems and staple cartridges for deploying surgical staples with tissue compression featuresUS7641094 *Oct 30, 2003Jan 5, 2010General Surgical Innovations, Inc.Apparatus and method for surgical fasteningUS7644848Jan 31, 2006Jan 12, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Electronic lockouts and surgical instrument including sameUS7665647Feb 23, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical cutting and stapling device with closure apparatus for limiting maximum tissue compression forceUS7669746Aug 31, 2005Mar 2, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridges for forming staples having differing formed staple heightsUS7669747Jun 29, 2007Mar 2, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Washer for use with a surgical stapling instrumentUS7673781Feb 28, 2007Mar 9, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling device with staple driver that supports multiple wire diameter staplesUS7673782Jun 29, 2007Mar 9, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument having a releasable buttress materialUS7673783Mar 9, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instruments structured for delivery of medical agentsUS7686200May 30, 2003Mar 30, 2010Incisive Surgical, Inc.Mechanical method and apparatus for bilateral tissue fasteningUS7721934May 30, 2007May 25, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Articulatable drive shaft arrangements for surgical cutting and fastening instrumentsUS7735703Jun 29, 2007Jun 15, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Re-loadable surgical stapling instrumentUS7753904Jul 13, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Endoscopic surgical instrument with a handle that can articulate with respect to the shaftUS7766210Aug 3, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument with user feedback systemUS7770775Aug 10, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument with adaptive user feedbackUS7793812Sep 14, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Disposable motor-driven loading unit for use with a surgical cutting and stapling apparatusUS7794471Sep 14, 2010Cardica, Inc.Compliant anastomosis systemUS7794475Sep 14, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical staples having compressible or crushable members for securing tissue therein and stapling instruments for deploying the sameUS7819296Oct 26, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling apparatus with retractable firing systemsUS7819297Oct 26, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling apparatus with reprocessible handle assemblyUS7819298Oct 26, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling apparatus with control features operable with one handUS7837080Sep 18, 2008Nov 23, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument with device for indicating when the instrument has cut through tissueUS7845537Jan 31, 2006Dec 7, 2010Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument having recording capabilitiesUS7861906Feb 14, 2008Jan 4, 2011Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling apparatus with articulatable componentsUS7866527Jan 11, 2011Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling apparatus with interlockable firing systemUS7934630May 3, 2011Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridges for forming staples having differing formed staple heightsUS7950559Jun 25, 2003May 31, 2011Incisive Surgical, Inc.Mechanical method and apparatus for bilateral tissue fasteningUS7959051Jun 14, 2011Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Closure systems for a surgical cutting and stapling instrumentUS7966799Jun 28, 2011Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Method of manufacturing staplesUS8020743Sep 20, 2011Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Powered articulatable surgical cutting and fastening instrument with flexible drive memberUS8066736Nov 29, 2011Incisive Surgical, Inc.Dynamic bioabsorbable fastener for use in wound closureUS8074857Dec 13, 2011Incisive Surgical, Inc.Method and apparatus for tissue fastening with single translating trigger operationUS8083120Dec 27, 2011Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.End effector for use with a surgical cutting and stapling instrumentUS8091755Oct 30, 2009Jan 10, 2012Tyco Healthcare Group LpApparatus and method for surgical fasteningUS8100939Jul 17, 2006Jan 24, 2012Incisive Surgical, Inc.Mechanical method and apparatus for sequential tissue fasteningUS8113410Feb 9, 2011Feb 14, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling apparatus with control featuresUS8136712Dec 10, 2009Mar 20, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapler with discrete staple height adjustment and tactile feedbackUS8157145Apr 17, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Pneumatically powered surgical cutting and fastening instrument with electrical feedbackUS8157153Apr 17, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument with force-feedback capabilitiesUS8161977Apr 24, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Accessing data stored in a memory of a surgical instrumentUS8167185May 1, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument having recording capabilitiesUS8172124May 8, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument having recording capabilitiesUS8186555Jan 31, 2006May 29, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument with mechanical closure systemUS8186560May 29, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling systems and staple cartridges for deploying surgical staples with tissue compression featuresUS8196795Aug 13, 2010Jun 12, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Disposable motor-driven loading unit for use with a surgical cutting and stapling apparatusUS8196796Jun 12, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Shaft based rotary drive system for surgical instrumentsUS8220690Jul 17, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Connected surgical staples and stapling instruments for deploying the sameUS8267300Sep 18, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Dampening device for endoscopic surgical staplerUS8292155Jun 2, 2011Oct 23, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument with tactile position feedbackUS8308040Nov 13, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument with an articulatable end effectorUS8317070Feb 28, 2007Nov 27, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling devices that produce formed staples having different lengthsUS8322455Jun 27, 2006Dec 4, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Manually driven surgical cutting and fastening instrumentUS8322589Dec 4, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrumentsUS8333313Dec 18, 2012Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument with a firing member return mechanismUS8348131Sep 29, 2006Jan 8, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument with mechanical indicator to show levels of tissue compressionUS8353437Feb 1, 2010Jan 15, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument with a geared return mechanismUS8353438Nov 19, 2009Jan 15, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Circular stapler introducer with rigid cap assembly configured for easy removalUS8353439Nov 19, 2009Jan 15, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Circular stapler introducer with radially-openable distal end portionUS8360297Jan 29, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical cutting and stapling instrument with self adjusting anvilUS8365976Sep 29, 2006Feb 5, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical staples having dissolvable, bioabsorbable or biofragmentable portions and stapling instruments for deploying the sameUS8371491Feb 12, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical end effector having buttress retention featuresUS8397971Feb 5, 2009Mar 19, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Sterilizable surgical instrumentUS8408439Apr 22, 2010Apr 2, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument with an articulatable end effectorUS8414577Apr 9, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instruments and components for use in sterile environmentsUS8424740Nov 4, 2010Apr 23, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument having a directional switching mechanismUS8444036Jul 29, 2010May 21, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Motor driven surgical fastener device with mechanisms for adjusting a tissue gap within the end effectorUS8453907Jul 29, 2010Jun 4, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Motor driven surgical fastener device with cutting member reversing mechanismUS8453914Jun 4, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Motor-driven surgical cutting instrument with electric actuator directional control assemblyUS8459520Jun 11, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument with wireless communication between control unit and remote sensorUS8459525Jun 11, 2013Ethicon Endo-Sugery, Inc.Motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrument having a magnetic drive train torque limiting deviceUS8464923Jan 28, 2010Jun 18, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling devices for forming staples with different formed heightsUS8474677Sep 30, 2010Jul 2, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Fastener system comprising a retention matrix and a coverUS8479969Feb 9, 2012Jul 9, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Drive interface for operably coupling a manipulatable surgical tool to a robotUS8485412Sep 29, 2006Jul 16, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical staples having attached drivers and stapling instruments for deploying the sameUS8485413Feb 5, 2009Jul 16, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument comprising an articulation jointUS8499993Jun 12, 2012Aug 6, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical staple cartridgeUS8517239Feb 5, 2009Aug 27, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument comprising a magnetic element driverUS8517243Feb 14, 2011Aug 27, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument with wireless communication between control unit and remote sensorUS8529600Sep 30, 2010Sep 10, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Fastener system comprising a retention matrixUS8534528Mar 1, 2011Sep 17, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument having a multiple rate directional switching mechanismUS8540128Jan 11, 2007Sep 24, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling device with a curved end effectorUS8540130Feb 8, 2011Sep 24, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Disposable motor-driven loading unit for use with a surgical cutting and stapling apparatusUS8567656Mar 28, 2011Oct 29, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridges for forming staples having differing formed staple heightsUS8573461Feb 9, 2012Nov 5, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instruments with cam-driven staple deployment arrangementsUS8573465Feb 9, 2012Nov 5, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Robotically-controlled surgical end effector system with rotary actuated closure systemsUS8574246Dec 3, 2004Nov 5, 2013Cardica, Inc.Compliant anastomosis system utilizing sutureUS8584919Feb 14, 2008Nov 19, 2013Ethicon Endo-Sugery, Inc.Surgical stapling apparatus with load-sensitive firing mechanismUS8590762Jun 29, 2007Nov 26, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridge cavity configurationsUS8602287Jun 1, 2012Dec 10, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Motor driven surgical cutting instrumentUS8602288Feb 9, 2012Dec 10, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery. Inc.Robotically-controlled motorized surgical end effector system with rotary actuated closure systems having variable actuation speedsUS8608045Oct 10, 2008Dec 17, 2013Ethicon Endo-Sugery, Inc.Powered surgical cutting and stapling apparatus with manually retractable firing systemUS8608046Jan 7, 2010Dec 17, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Test device for a surgical toolUS8616431Feb 9, 2012Dec 31, 2013Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Shiftable drive interface for robotically-controlled surgical toolUS8622274Feb 14, 2008Jan 7, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Motorized cutting and fastening instrument having control circuit for optimizing battery usageUS8622275Nov 19, 2009Jan 7, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Circular stapler introducer with rigid distal end portionUS8636187Feb 3, 2011Jan 28, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling systems that produce formed staples having different lengthsUS8636736Feb 14, 2008Jan 28, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrumentUS8652120Jan 10, 2007Feb 18, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument with wireless communication between control unit and sensor transpondersUS8657174Feb 14, 2008Feb 25, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrument having handle based power sourceUS8657178Jan 9, 2013Feb 25, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling apparatusUS8668130May 24, 2012Mar 11, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling systems and staple cartridges for deploying surgical staples with tissue compression featuresUS8672208Mar 5, 2010Mar 18, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument having a releasable buttress materialUS8684253May 27, 2011Apr 1, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument with wireless communication between a control unit of a robotic system and remote sensorUS8701958Jan 11, 2007Apr 22, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Curved end effector for a surgical stapling deviceUS8720766Sep 29, 2006May 13, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instruments and staplesUS8727197Jun 29, 2007May 20, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridge cavity configuration with cooperative surgical stapleUS8733613Sep 29, 2010May 27, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridgeUS8740034Sep 30, 2010Jun 3, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument with interchangeable staple cartridge arrangementsUS8740037Sep 30, 2010Jun 3, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Compressible fastener cartridgeUS8740038Apr 29, 2011Jun 3, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridge comprising a releasable portionUS8746529Dec 2, 2011Jun 10, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Accessing data stored in a memory of a surgical instrumentUS8746530Sep 28, 2012Jun 10, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument with wireless communication between control unit and remote sensorUS8746535Apr 29, 2011Jun 10, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Tissue thickness compensator comprising detachable portionsUS8747238Jun 28, 2012Jun 10, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Rotary drive shaft assemblies for surgical instruments with articulatable end effectorsUS8752699Sep 30, 2010Jun 17, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Implantable fastener cartridge comprising bioabsorbable layersUS8752747Mar 20, 2012Jun 17, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument having recording capabilitiesUS8752749May 27, 2011Jun 17, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Robotically-controlled disposable motor-driven loading unitUS8757465Sep 30, 2010Jun 24, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Fastener system comprising a retention matrix and an alignment matrixUS8758391Feb 14, 2008Jun 24, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Interchangeable tools for surgical instrumentsUS8763875Mar 6, 2013Jul 1, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.End effector for use with a surgical fastening instrumentUS8763877Sep 30, 2010Jul 1, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instruments with reconfigurable shaft segmentsUS8763879Mar 1, 2011Jul 1, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Accessing data stored in a memory of surgical instrumentUS8777004Apr 29, 2011Jul 15, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Compressible staple cartridge comprising alignment membersUS8783541Feb 9, 2012Jul 22, 2014Frederick E. Shelton, IVRobotically-controlled surgical end effector systemUS8783542Sep 30, 2010Jul 22, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Fasteners supported by a fastener cartridge supportUS8789739Sep 6, 2011Jul 29, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Continuous stapling instrumentUS8789741Sep 23, 2011Jul 29, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument with trigger assembly for generating multiple actuation motionsUS8800838Feb 9, 2012Aug 12, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Robotically-controlled cable-based surgical end effectorsUS8800841Mar 15, 2011Aug 12, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical staple cartridgesUS8808325Nov 19, 2012Aug 19, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument with staples having crown features for increasing formed staple footprintUS8814024Sep 30, 2010Aug 26, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Fastener system comprising a plurality of connected retention matrix elementsUS8820603Mar 1, 2011Sep 2, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Accessing data stored in a memory of a surgical instrumentUS8820605Feb 9, 2012Sep 2, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Robotically-controlled surgical instrumentsUS8821517Mar 12, 2013Sep 2, 2014Incisive Surgical, Inc.Mechanical method and apparatus for bilateral tissue fasteningUS8827133Jan 11, 2007Sep 9, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling device having supports for a flexible drive mechanismUS8833632Sep 6, 2011Sep 16, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Firing member displacement system for a stapling instrumentUS8840003Sep 30, 2010Sep 23, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument with compact articulation control arrangementUS8840603Jun 3, 2010Sep 23, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument with wireless communication between control unit and sensor transpondersUS8844789Feb 9, 2012Sep 30, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Automated end effector component reloading system for use with a robotic systemUS8851354Dec 24, 2009Oct 7, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical cutting instrument that analyzes tissue thicknessUS8857694Apr 29, 2011Oct 14, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridge loading assemblyUS8864007Sep 30, 2010Oct 21, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Implantable fastener cartridge having a non-uniform arrangementUS8864009Apr 29, 2011Oct 21, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Tissue thickness compensator for a surgical stapler comprising an adjustable anvilUS8875971Dec 1, 2010Nov 4, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling apparatus with interlockable firing systemUS8875972Feb 15, 2011Nov 4, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.End effector coupling arrangements for a surgical cutting and stapling instrumentUS8893946Mar 28, 2007Nov 25, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Laparoscopic tissue thickness and clamp load measuring devicesUS8893949Sep 23, 2011Nov 25, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapler with floating anvilUS8899463Sep 30, 2010Dec 2, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical staple cartridges supporting non-linearly arranged staples and surgical stapling instruments with common staple-forming pocketsUS8899465Mar 5, 2013Dec 2, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridge comprising drivers for deploying a plurality of staplesUS8899466Nov 19, 2009Dec 2, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Devices and methods for introducing a surgical circular stapling instrument into a patientUS8911471Sep 14, 2012Dec 16, 2014Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Articulatable surgical deviceUS8925782Sep 30, 2010Jan 6, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Implantable fastener cartridge comprising multiple layersUS8925788Mar 3, 2014Jan 6, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.End effectors for surgical stapling instrumentsUS8926598Mar 15, 2011Jan 6, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instruments with articulatable and rotatable end effectorUS8931682May 27, 2011Jan 13, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Robotically-controlled shaft based rotary drive systems for surgical instrumentsUS8940016Dec 13, 2011Jan 27, 2015Incisive Surgical, Inc.Mechanical method and apparatus for sequential tissue fasteningUS8973803Sep 9, 2010Mar 10, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling apparatus with control features operable with one handUS8973804Mar 18, 2014Mar 10, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Cartridge assembly having a buttressing memberUS8978954Apr 29, 2011Mar 17, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridge comprising an adjustable distal portionUS8978956Sep 30, 2010Mar 17, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Jaw closure arrangements for surgical instrumentsUS8991676Jun 29, 2007Mar 31, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical staple having a slidable crownUS8991677May 21, 2014Mar 31, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Detachable motor powered surgical instrumentUS8992422May 27, 2011Mar 31, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Robotically-controlled endoscopic accessory channelUS8998058May 20, 2014Apr 7, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Detachable motor powered surgical instrumentUS9005230Jan 18, 2013Apr 14, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Motorized surgical instrumentUS9028494Jun 28, 2012May 12, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Interchangeable end effector coupling arrangementUS9028519Feb 7, 2011May 12, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Motorized surgical instrumentUS9033203Sep 30, 2010May 19, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Fastening instrument for deploying a fastener system comprising a retention matrixUS9044227Sep 30, 2010Jun 2, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Collapsible fastener cartridgeUS9044228Sep 30, 2010Jun 2, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Fastener system comprising a plurality of fastener cartridgesUS9044230Feb 13, 2012Jun 2, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical cutting and fastening instrument with apparatus for determining cartridge and firing motion statusUS9050083Sep 23, 2008Jun 9, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Motorized surgical instrumentUS9050084Sep 23, 2011Jun 9, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridge including collapsible deck arrangementUS9055941Sep 23, 2011Jun 16, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridge including collapsible deckUS9060770May 27, 2011Jun 23, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Robotically-driven surgical instrument with E-beam driverUS9072515Jun 25, 2014Jul 7, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling apparatusUS9072535May 27, 2011Jul 7, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instruments with rotatable staple deployment arrangementsUS9072536Jun 28, 2012Jul 7, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Differential locking arrangements for rotary powered surgical instrumentsUS9084601Mar 15, 2013Jul 21, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Detachable motor powered surgical instrumentUS9095339May 19, 2014Aug 4, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Detachable motor powered surgical instrumentUS9101358Jun 15, 2012Aug 11, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Articulatable surgical instrument comprising a firing driveUS9101385Jun 28, 2012Aug 11, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Electrode connections for rotary driven surgical toolsUS9107663Sep 6, 2011Aug 18, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Stapling instrument comprising resettable staple driversUS9113862Sep 30, 2010Aug 25, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument with a variable staple forming systemUS9113864Sep 30, 2010Aug 25, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical cutting and fastening instruments with separate and distinct fastener deployment and tissue cutting systemsUS9113865Apr 29, 2011Aug 25, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridge comprising a layerUS9113874Jun 24, 2014Aug 25, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument systemUS9119657Jun 28, 2012Sep 1, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Rotary actuatable closure arrangement for surgical end effectorUS9125662Jun 28, 2012Sep 8, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Multi-axis articulating and rotating surgical toolsUS9131940Feb 21, 2013Sep 15, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridgeUS9138225Feb 26, 2013Sep 22, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrument with an articulatable end effectorUS9149274Feb 17, 2011Oct 6, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Articulating endoscopic accessory channelUS9168038Apr 29, 2011Oct 27, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Staple cartridge comprising a tissue thickness compensatorUS9168040Dec 19, 2011Oct 27, 2015Helmut L. KayanApparatus and method for surgical fasteningUS9179911May 23, 2014Nov 10, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.End effector for use with a surgical fastening instrumentUS9179912May 27, 2011Nov 10, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Robotically-controlled motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrumentUS9186143Jun 25, 2014Nov 17, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Robotically-controlled shaft based rotary drive systems for surgical instrumentsUS9198661Sep 6, 2011Dec 1, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Stapling instrument comprising a plurality of staple cartridges stored thereinUS9198662Jun 26, 2012Dec 1, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Tissue thickness compensator having improved visibilityUS9204878Aug 14, 2014Dec 8, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling apparatus with interlockable firing systemUS9204879Jun 28, 2012Dec 8, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Flexible drive memberUS9204880Mar 28, 2012Dec 8, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Tissue thickness compensator comprising capsules defining a low pressure environmentUS9211120Mar 28, 2012Dec 15, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Tissue thickness compensator comprising a plurality of medicamentsUS9211121Jan 13, 2015Dec 15, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling apparatusUS9216019Sep 23, 2011Dec 22, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapler with stationary staple driversUS9220500Mar 28, 2012Dec 29, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Tissue thickness compensator comprising structure to produce a resilient loadUS9220501Mar 28, 2012Dec 29, 2015Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Tissue thickness compensatorsUS9226751Jun 28, 2012Jan 5, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument system including replaceable end effectorsUS9232941Mar 28, 2012Jan 12, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Tissue thickness compensator comprising a reservoirUS9237891May 27, 2011Jan 19, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Robotically-controlled surgical stapling devices that produce formed staples having different lengthsUS9241714Mar 28, 2012Jan 26, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Tissue thickness compensator and method for making the sameUS9265501Sep 6, 2012Feb 23, 2016Sabic Global Technologies B.V.Surgical stapler with corrugated thermoplastic leaf springUS9271799Jun 25, 2014Mar 1, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcRobotic surgical system with removable motor housingUS9272406Feb 8, 2013Mar 1, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcFastener cartridge comprising a cutting member for releasing a tissue thickness compensatorUS9277919Mar 28, 2012Mar 8, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcTissue thickness compensator comprising fibers to produce a resilient loadUS9282962Feb 8, 2013Mar 15, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcAdhesive film laminateUS9282966Feb 7, 2014Mar 15, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapling instrumentUS9282974Jun 28, 2012Mar 15, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcEmpty clip cartridge lockoutUS9283054Aug 23, 2013Mar 15, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcInteractive displaysUS9289206Dec 15, 2014Mar 22, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcLateral securement members for surgical staple cartridgesUS9289225Jun 22, 2010Mar 22, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcEndoscopic surgical instrument with a handle that can articulate with respect to the shaftUS9289256Jun 28, 2012Mar 22, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcSurgical end effectors having angled tissue-contacting surfacesUS9295464Apr 29, 2011Mar 29, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical stapler anvil comprising a plurality of forming pocketsUS9301752Mar 28, 2012Apr 5, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcTissue thickness compensator comprising a plurality of capsulesUS9301753Mar 28, 2012Apr 5, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcExpandable tissue thickness compensatorUS9301755Apr 29, 2011Apr 5, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcCompressible staple cartridge assemblyUS9301759Feb 9, 2012Apr 5, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcRobotically-controlled surgical instrument with selectively articulatable end effectorUS9307965Jun 25, 2012Apr 12, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcTissue stapler having a thickness compensator incorporating an anti-microbial agentUS9307986Mar 1, 2013Apr 12, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcSurgical instrument soft stopUS9307987Sep 25, 2014Apr 12, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcSurgical cutting instrument that analyzes tissue thicknessUS9307988Oct 28, 2013Apr 12, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcStaple cartridges for forming staples having differing formed staple heightsUS9307989Jun 26, 2012Apr 12, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcTissue stapler having a thickness compensator incorportating a hydrophobic agentUS9314246Jun 25, 2012Apr 19, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcTissue stapler having a thickness compensator incorporating an anti-inflammatory agentUS9314247Jun 26, 2012Apr 19, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcTissue stapler having a thickness compensator incorporating a hydrophilic agentUS9320518Jun 25, 2012Apr 26, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcTissue stapler having a thickness compensator incorporating an oxygen generating agentUS9320520Aug 19, 2015Apr 26, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Surgical instrument systemUS9320521Oct 29, 2012Apr 26, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcSurgical instrumentUS9320523Mar 28, 2012Apr 26, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcTissue thickness compensator comprising tissue ingrowth featuresUS9326767Mar 1, 2013May 3, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcJoystick switch assemblies for surgical instrumentsUS9326768Mar 12, 2013May 3, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcStaple cartridges for forming staples having differing formed staple heightsUS9326769Mar 6, 2013May 3, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcSurgical instrumentUS9326770Mar 6, 2013May 3, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcSurgical instrumentUS9332974Mar 28, 2012May 10, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcLayered tissue thickness compensatorUS9332984Mar 27, 2013May 10, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcFastener cartridge assembliesUS9332987Mar 14, 2013May 10, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcControl arrangements for a drive member of a surgical instrumentUS9345477Jun 25, 2012May 24, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcTissue stapler having a thickness compensator comprising incorporating a hemostatic agentUS9345481Mar 13, 2013May 24, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcStaple cartridge tissue thickness sensor systemUS9351726Mar 14, 2013May 31, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcArticulation control system for articulatable surgical instrumentsUS9351727Mar 14, 2013May 31, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcDrive train control arrangements for modular surgical instrumentsUS9351730Mar 28, 2012May 31, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcTissue thickness compensator comprising channelsUS9358003Mar 1, 2013Jun 7, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcElectromechanical surgical device with signal relay arrangementUS9358005Jun 22, 2015Jun 7, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcEnd effector layer including holding featuresUS9364230Jun 28, 2012Jun 14, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcSurgical stapling instruments with rotary joint assembliesUS9364233Mar 28, 2012Jun 14, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcTissue thickness compensators for circular surgical staplersUS9370358Oct 19, 2012Jun 21, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcMotor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument with tactile position feedbackUS9370364Mar 5, 2013Jun 21, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcPowered surgical cutting and stapling apparatus with manually retractable firing systemUS9386983May 27, 2011Jul 12, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcRobotically-controlled motorized surgical instrumentUS9386984Feb 8, 2013Jul 12, 2016Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LlcStaple cartridge comprising a releasable coverUS9386988Mar 28, 2012Jul 12, 2016Ethicon End-Surgery, LLCRetainer assembly including a tissue thickness compensatorUS20040087969 *Oct 30, 2003May 6, 2004Kayan Helmut L.Apparatus and method for surgical fasteningUS20060191974 *Feb 21, 2006Aug 31, 2006Mani., Inc.Surgical staplerUS20070194080 *Feb 28, 2007Aug 23, 2007Swayze Jeffrey SSurgical stapling device with staple driver that supports multiple wire diameter staplesUS20100049215 *Oct 30, 2009Feb 25, 2010General Surgical Innovations, Inc.Apparatus and method for surgical fasteningUSD752219Jan 2, 2015Mar 22, 2016Incisive Surgical, Inc.Tissue fastening instrumentUSRE36104 *May 9, 1997Feb 16, 1999Cordis CorporationDilation catheter with eccentric balloonWO1991010400A1 *Jan 19, 1990Jul 25, 1991Ophthalmic Ventures Limited PartnershipOphthalmic staplerWO2014037904A2 *Sep 5, 2013Mar 13, 2014Sabic Innovative Plastics Ip B.V.Surgical stapler with corrugated thermoplastic leaf springWO2014037904A3 *Sep 5, 2013May 1, 2014Sabic Innovative Plastics Ip B.V.Surgical stapler with corrugated thermoplastic leaf spring* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification227/177.1, 227/19International ClassificationA61B17/068Cooperative ClassificationA61B17/0684European ClassificationA61B17/068B2Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionOct 23, 1985ASAssignmentOwner name: JONES, RICHARD G., P.O.BOX 648 - 08833, LEBANON, NFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:TAYLOR, JAMES;REEL/FRAME:004474/0339Effective date: 19851015Owner name: SCANLON, J. PHILIP, P.O. BOX 648 - 08833, LEBANON,Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:TAYLOR, JAMES;REEL/FRAME:004474/0339Effective date: 19851015May 19, 1986ASAssignmentOwner name: MIDLANTIC NATIONAL BANK, METRO PARK PLAZA, P.O. BOFree format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SYNCARE, INC., A N.J. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004602/0539Effective date: 19860319Owner name: MIDLANTIC NATIONAL BANK, METRO PARK PLAZA, P.O. BOFree format text: ASSIGNOR DOES HEREBY APPOINT ASSIGNEE AS ITS POWER OF ATTORNEY TO ACT IN ALL MATTER IN SAID INVENTION.;ASSIGNOR:SYNCARE, INC., A N.J. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004602/0543Effective date: 19860319Owner name: MIDLANTIC NATIONAL BANK, NEW JERSEYFree format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SYNCARE, INC., A N.J. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004602/0539Effective date: 19860319Owner name: MIDLANTIC NATIONAL BANK, NEW JERSEYFree format text: ASSIGNOR DOES HEREBY APPOINT ASSIGNEE AS ITS POWER OF ATTORNEY TO ACT IN ALL MATTER IN SAID INVENTION.;ASSIGNOR:SYNCARE, INC., A N.J. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004602/0543Effective date: 19860319May 29, 1990REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedJun 28, 1990FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Jun 28, 1990SULPSurcharge for late paymentOct 28, 1992ASAssignmentOwner name: SMITH, W. ALAN, JR., TRUSTEE, VIRGINIAFree format text: BANKRUPTCY;ASSIGNOR:LIC CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:006284/0340Effective date: 19911011Dec 4, 1992ASAssignmentOwner name: LIC CORPORATION, VIRGINIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:SYNCARE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:006376/0305Effective date: 19881026Mar 15, 1993ASAssignmentOwner name: SYNCARE, INC., VIRGINIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MIDLANTIC NATIONAL BANK;REEL/FRAME:006531/0534Effective date: 19930225Jun 7, 1994REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedOct 30, 1994LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesJan 10, 1995FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 19941102RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services