Patent ID: 10888316

Abstract:
An exemplary medical apparatus may include a surgical tool; a feeder belt located at least partially within the surgical tool; a plurality of staples affixed to and frangibly separable from the feeder belt; and a forming station positioned within the surgical tool that receives the feeder belt; where motion of the feeder belt through the forming station bends at least one staple relative to the feeder belt substantially at the junction between that staple and the feeder belt in order to work harden that junction within the surgical tool. Another exemplary medical apparatus may include a surgical tool; a feeder belt located at least partially within the surgical tool; staples affixed to and frangibly separable from the feeder belt; and a channel within the surgical tool that receives the feeder belt; where motion of the feeder belt through the channel bends at least one staple at least at one location, thereby work hardening that staple at each location at which it bends. A method for work hardening a portion of a surgical staple may include providing a surgical tool, a feeder belt located at least partially within the surgical tool, and staples affixed to and frangibly separable from the feeder belt; moving the feeder belt relative to the surgical tool; and as a result of that moving, contacting at least one staple with a portion of the surgical tool; and as a result of that contacting, work hardening a part of the staple.