Staple for use in surgical procedures

Abstract

A staple having a backspan and a first and second leg extending distally from the backspan. Each of the first and second legs includes a bend zone dividing each leg into a traversing leg portion and a linear clenching leg portion. When formed through tissue, each of the clenching leg portions of the first and second legs are formed substantially parallel to the backspan. A staple assembly is also provided including a substantially box staple having a backspan and a first and a second leg extending distally from the backspan. The staple assembly includes a staple plate positionable over the first and second legs.

1 . A substantially box-shaped staple for use in tissue comprising:
 a backspan;   a first leg extending from the backspan, the first leg being divided into a first traversing leg portion and a first substantially linear clenching leg portion by a first bend; and   a second leg extending from the backspan, the second leg being divided into a second traversing leg portion and a second substantially linear clenching leg portion by a second bend, wherein at least one of the first and second substantially linear clenching leg portions is oriented substantially parallel to the backspan.   
   
   
       2 . The staple as recited in  claim 1 , wherein both the first and second linear clenching leg portions are oriented substantially parallel to the backspan. 
   
   
       3 . The staple as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second traversing leg portions is oriented substantially perpendicular to the backspan. 
   
   
       4 . The staple as recited in  claim 3 , wherein both the first and second traversing leg portions are oriented substantially perpendicular to the backspan. 
   
   
       5 . The staple as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a combined length of the first and second clenching leg portions is less than an overall length of the backspan. 
   
   
       6 . The staple as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a combined length of the first and second clenching leg portions is equal to an overall length of the backspan. 
   
   
       7 . The staple as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a combined length of the first and second clenching leg portions is greater than an overall length of the backspan. 
   
   
       8 . A substantially box-shaped staple assembly for use in tissue comprising:
 a backspan;   a first leg extending from the backspan, the first leg being divided into a first traversing leg portion and a first substantially linear clenching leg portion by a first bend;   a second leg extending from the backspan, the second leg being divided into a second traversing leg portion and a second substantially linear clenching leg portion by a second bend; and   a staple plate positioned on the first and second legs between the backspan and the first and second clenching leg portions, wherein at least one of the first and second substantially linear clenching leg portions is oriented substantially parallel to the staple plate.   
   
   
       9 . The staple assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the staple plate has first and second holes to receive the first and second traversing leg portions respectively. 
   
   
       10 . The staple assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein an overall length of the staple plate is greater than an overall length of the backspan. 
   
   
       11 . The staple assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the distance between the first and second holes is substantially equal to an overall length of the backspan. 
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the staple plate has an arcuate top surface. 
   
   
       13 . A method of forming a substantially box-shaped staple through tissue comprising:
 providing a substantially box-shaped staple having a backspan, a first leg extending from the backspan and including a first bend zone located between the backspan and a first end of the first leg, and a second leg extending from the backspan and including a second bend zone located between the backspan and a second end of the second leg;   driving the first and second ends of the first and second legs through a tissue section; and   impacting the first leg in the first bend zone with a first angled portion of a first anvil to form a first bend within the first bend zone to form a first traversing leg portion and a-first substantially linear clenching leg portion.   
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of impacting the first substantially linear clenching leg portion with a first finishing surface of the first anvil to orient the first substantially linear clenching leg portion substantially parallel to the backspan. 
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising the step of impacting the second leg in the second bend zone with a second angled portion of a second anvil to form a second bend within the second bend zone to form a second traversing leg portion and a second substantially linear clenching leg portion. 
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of impacting the second linear clenching leg portion with a second finishing surface of the second anvil to orient the second substantially linear clenching leg portion substantially parallel to the backspan. 
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the first and second ends are driven through tissue such that the backspan engages an upper surface of the tissue. 
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising the step of positioning a staple plate over the first and second legs and into engagement with an underside of the tissue prior to the step of impacting the first leg in the first bend zone. 
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the first substantially linear clenching leg portion is oriented substantially parallel to the staple plate. 
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the staple plate has an arcuate surface.