Feeder Belt and Staples for Surgical Stapler

Abstract

One exemplary surgical apparatus may include at least one carrier, staples fixed to a corresponding carrier, and a feeder belt to which at least one carrier is frangibly connected.

1 . A surgical apparatus, comprising:
 at least one carrier;   a plurality of staples, wherein at least two staples are fixed to a corresponding said carrier; and   a feeder belt to which at least one said carrier is frangibly connected.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein two staples are fixed to a corresponding said carrier in a double-D configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein two staples are fixed to a corresponding said carrier in a B configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one wedge slidable relative to said feeder belt, wherein said wedge includes a first ramp that engages and closes a plurality of said staples, and a second ramp that separates at least one said carrier from said feeder belt;
 wherein said wedge includes a first ramp.   
     
     
         5 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least two different said wedges are slidable relative to said feeder belt in substantially opposite directions relative to one another. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least two said staples are fixed to opposite lateral sides of the corresponding said carrier. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one said carrier is lateral to and substantially in the same plane as said feeder belt. 
     
     
         8 . A surgical apparatus, comprising:
 a staple holder;   an anvil movably connected to said staple holder;   a feeder belt, wherein at least part of said feeder belt extends into said staple holder; and   a plurality of staples fixed to and frangibly separable from said feeder belt;   wherein said staples are organized into at least two groups spaced apart from one another; and   wherein at least one said staple is deployable to a different closed shape than at least one other said staple.   
     
     
         9 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least one said staple is larger than at least one other said staple. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least one said staple extends downward from said feeder belt a distance greater than at least one other said staple. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein a plurality of staple forming pockets are defined in said anvil, and wherein said staple forming pockets are nonhomogeneous. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least one said staple forming pocket has a radius of curvature different than at least one other said staple forming pocket. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said anvil includes an inner surface oriented toward said staple holder; wherein said staple forming pockets are defined in said inner surface;
 and wherein said inner surface is nonplanar.   
     
     
         14 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said staple holder and anvil are movable to a clamped position in which a clamp gap exists therebetween; and wherein said clamp gap is adjustable to adjust the degree of closure of said staples. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least one said group of said staples includes a different number of said staples than at least one other said group of said staples. 
     
     
         16 . A surgical apparatus, comprising:
 a feeder belt;   a first plurality of staples fixed directly to and frangibly separable from said feeder belt;   a plurality of extension arms extending at least partially in the lateral direction away from said feeder belt; and   a second plurality of staples, each fixed to a corresponding said extension arm at a location spaced laterally apart from said feeder belt.   
     
     
         17 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein at least one said extension arm is fixed to and frangibly separable from said feeder belt. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein at least one said staple is fixed to and frangibly separable from the corresponding said extension arm.