Surgical Staple Assembly

Abstract

A surgical staple assembly is disclosed and can include a surgical staple. The surgical staple assembly can be moved between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the surgical staple can be in an original shape. Moreover, in the second configuration, the surgical staple can be in a deformed configuration.

1 . A surgical staple assembly, comprising:
 a surgical staple, wherein the surgical staple assembly is movable between a first configuration wherein the surgical staple is in an original shape and a second configuration wherein the surgical staple is in a deformed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first bending arm; and   a second bending arm, wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm are movable to deform the surgical staple.   
     
     
         3 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm are disposed proximate to the surgical staple and wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm are configured to bend the staple outward. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the surgical staple comprises:
 a first superior tine;   a second superior tine opposite the first superior tine;   a first inferior tine opposite the first superior tine; and   a second inferior tine opposite the first inferior tine.   
     
     
         5 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm are disposed between the first superior tine, the first inferior tine, the second superior tine, and the second inferior tine. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first bending arm is configured to bend the first superior tine and the first inferior tine. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first bending arm is configured to bend the first superior tine and the first inferior tine outward. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the second bending arm is configured to bend the second superior tine and the second inferior tine. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the second bending arm is configured to bend the second superior tine and the second inferior tine outward. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the surgical staple comprises:
 a first tine; and   a second tine opposite the first tine.   
     
     
         11 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm are disposed between the first tine, and the second tine. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first bending arm is configured to bend the first tine. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the first bending arm is configured to bend the first tine outward. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the second bending arm is configured to bend the second superior tine and the second inferior tine. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the second bending arm is configured to bend the second tine outward. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first bending arm comprises a rib configured to support the first tine. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the second bending arm comprises a rib configured to support the second tine. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a superior support plate; and   an inferior support plate distanced from the superior support plate, wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm are rotatably disposed between the superior support plate and the inferior support plate.   
     
     
         19 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the superior support plate is formed with a first hole and a second hole and wherein the inferior support plate is formed with a first hole and a second hole. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first bending arm comprises:
 a superior post configured to engage the first hole within the superior support plate; and   an inferior post configured to engage the first hole within the inferior support plate.   
     
     
         21 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the second bending arm comprises:
 a superior post configured to engage the second hole within the superior support plate; and   an inferior post configured to engage the second hole within the inferior support plate.   
     
     
         22 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a bending wedge configured to be placed between the first bending arm and the second bending arm.   
     
     
         23 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the bending wedge is configured to be moved into the surgical staple assembly. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm rotate outward as the bending wedge is moved into the surgical staple assembly. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the surgical staple is deformed as the bending wedge is moved into the surgical staple assembly. 
     
     
         26 . A surgical staple assembly, comprising:
 a superior support plate;   an inferior support plate spaced from the superior support plate; and   a surgical staple configured to be placed between the superior support plate and the inferior support plate, wherein the surgical staple assembly is movable between a first configuration wherein the surgical staple is in an original shape and a second configuration wherein the surgical staple is in a deformed configuration.   
     
     
         27 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 a first bending arm configured to be disposed between the superior support plate and the inferior support plate.   
     
     
         28 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the first bending arm is configured to rotate between the superior support plate and the inferior support plate and deform the surgical staple. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a second bending arm configured to be disposed between the superior support plate and the inferior support plate.   
     
     
         30 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the second bending arm is configured to rotate between the superior support plate and the inferior support plate and deform the surgical staple. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the surgical staple comprises at least two tines and wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm are disposed between at least two of the tines. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 a bending wedge configured to be placed between the first bending arm and the second bending arm.   
     
     
         33 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the bending wedge is configured to be moved into the surgical staple assembly. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the first bending arm and the second bending arm rotate outward as the bending wedge is moved into the surgical staple assembly. 
     
     
         35 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the surgical staple is deformed as the bending wedge is moved into the surgical staple assembly. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the superior support plate further comprises:
 a superior bending wedge guide configured to engage the bending wedge and guide the bending wedge as the bending wedge moves within the surgical staple assembly.   
     
     
         37 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the superior support plate further comprises:
 a superior bending wedge stop configured to limit the motion of the bending wedge as the bending wedge moves within the surgical staple assembly.   
     
     
         38 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the inferior support plate further comprises:
 an inferior bending wedge guide configured to engage the bending wedge and guide the bending wedge as the bending wedge moves within the surgical staple assembly.   
     
     
         39 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the inferior support plate further comprises:
 an inferior bending wedge stop configured to limit the motion of the bending wedge as the bending wedge moves within the surgical staple assembly.   
     
     
         40 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the superior bending wedge guide comprises a protrusion and wherein the superior bending wedge guide is configured to produce a clicking noise when the protrusion is contacted. 
     
     
         41 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the protrusion is configured to be contacted by the bending wedge. 
     
     
         42 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the inferior bending wedge guide comprises a protrusion and wherein the inferior bending wedge guide is configured to produce a clicking noise when the protrusion is contacted. 
     
     
         43 . The surgical staple assembly of  claim 42 , wherein the protrusion is configured to be contacted by the bending wedge. 
     
     
         44 . A method of treating a patient, comprising:
 retrieving a surgical staple assembly having a surgical staple, wherein the surgical staple assembly is movable between a first configuration in which the surgical staple is in an original shape and a second configuration in which the surgical staple is deformed; and   moving the surgical staple assembly to the second configuration.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the surgical staple assembly is moved to the second configuration by applying a compressive force to the surgical staple assembly. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising:
 retrieving the surgical staple from the surgical staple assembly.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 installing the surgical staple within a patient.   
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising:
 returning the surgical staple to the original shape.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the surgical staple is returned to the original shape by applying heat to the surgical staple. 
     
     
         50 . A kit, comprising:
 a plurality of surgical staple assemblies, wherein each surgical staple assembly includes a surgical staple and wherein each surgical staple assembly is configured to bend each surgical staple to substantially the same shape.