Continuous stapler strip for use with a surgical stapling device

Abstract

A continuous strip of staples for use with a surgical stapling device includes an elongated stock of corrugated paper defining a plurality of channels therein. An inner facing side of each channel is configured to support a row of staples thereon and extending therealong and is configured to be slidingly received in a corresponding plurality of slots defined within a cartridge assembly of a stapling device for loading the staples therein. A plurality of indexing apertures is defined in the elongated stock and extends therealong. The plurality of indexing apertures is adapted to engage a staple deformation element of the cartridge assembly during retraction thereof to automatically reload one or more new rows of staples after actuation of the stapling device.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A continuous strip of staples for use with a surgical stapling device, comprising:
 an elongated stock of paper defining a plurality of channels therein, a side of each channel configured to support a plurality of staples thereon and extending therealong, the sides of the plurality of channels each configured to be slidingly received within a corresponding plurality of slots defined within a cartridge assembly of a stapling device for loading the plurality of staples therein; and   a plurality of indexing apertures defined in the elongated stock and extending therealong, the plurality of indexing apertures adapted to engage a staple deformation element of the cartridge assembly at least during retraction thereof to move the elongated stock to reload a new plurality of staples after actuation of the stapling device.   
     
     
         22 . The continuous strip of staples for use with a surgical stapling device according to  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of staples is arranged in an offset manner relative to each other along the elongated stock. 
     
     
         23 . The continuous strip of staples for use with a surgical stapling device according to  claim 21 , wherein a leading edge of the elongated stock is adapted to engage an aperture defined within a distal end of an elongated shaft of the stapling device such that, upon reloading, a used portion of the elongated stock is expelled through the aperture. 
     
     
         24 . The continuous strip of staples for use with a surgical stapling device according to  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of indexing apertures is configured to engage a pawl disposed on the staple deformation element such that, during retraction, a trailing edge of the pawl operably engages one of the plurality of indexing apertures and pulls the elongated stock proximally as the staple deformation element retracts thereby reloading the cartridge assembly of the stapling device with a new plurality of staples. 
     
     
         25 . The continuous strip of staples for use with a surgical stapling device according to  claim 21 , wherein the elongated stock supports the plurality of staples on either side of an axis defined therealong. 
     
     
         26 . The continuous strip of staples for use with a surgical stapling device according to  claim 25 , wherein the plurality of indexing apertures is disposed along the axis. 
     
     
         27 . The continuous strip of staples for use with a surgical stapling device according to  claim 25 , wherein an equal number of the plurality of staples is disposed on either side of the axis. 
     
     
         28 . The continuous strip of staples for use with a surgical stapling device according to  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of indexing apertures facilitates separation of the elongated stock along the length thereof after deformation of the plurality of staples. 
     
     
         29 . The continuous strip of staples for use with a surgical stapling device according to  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of indexing apertures is arranged on the elongated stock to facilitate both reloading of the elongated stock and separation thereof after deformation of the plurality of staples. 
     
     
         30 . The continuous strip of staples for use with a surgical stapling device according to  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of indexing apertures is arranged on the elongated stock to facilitate both reloading of the elongated stock via engagement with the pawl and separation thereof after deformation of the plurality of staples. 
     
     
         31 . The continuous strip of staples for use with a surgical stapling device according to  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of indexing apertures cooperates with a knife operably engaged to the staple deformation element to facilitate separation of the elongated stock along the length thereof after deformation of the plurality of staples. 
     
     
         32 . A surgical stapling device, comprising:
 a body including a tool assembly disposed at a distal end thereof, the tool assembly including a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly pivotably coupled thereto such that the tool assembly is moveable from an open position to a clamped position, the cartridge assembly including a staple deformation element disposed therein configured to operably engage and deform a plurality of staples upon distal movement thereof;   a drive assembly disposed within the body and configured to operably engage the staple deformation element upon actuation thereof;   an elongated stock of corrugated paper configured to slidingly engage the cartridge assembly for loading the plurality of staples therein, the elongated stock supporting the plurality of staples thereon and extending therealong; and   a plurality of pusher members disposed within the cartridge assembly and extending therealong, the plurality of pusher members including a series of abutting members disposed thereon and disposed in alignment with a corresponding series of staples of the plurality of staples, each of the plurality of pusher members configured to sequentially engage the staple deformation element during distal actuation thereof and, in turn, engage the corresponding series of staples to force the corresponding series of staples against the anvil assembly for deformation thereof.   
     
     
         33 . The surgical stapling device according to  claim 32 , wherein each pusher member of the plurality of pusher members includes a pusher tab extending therefrom, each pusher tab sequentially moveable upon actuation of the staple deformation element between a first position relative to the staple deformation element wherein each pusher tab rides within a respective slot defined within the cartridge assembly to guide the respective pusher member into engagement with the series of staples and a second position relative to the staple deformation element wherein the pusher tab is positioned for resetting the pusher member upon retraction of the staple deformation element. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical stapling device according to  claim 33 , wherein an exposed surface of the staple deformation element cams the pusher tab to the first position upon initial engagement with the staple deformation element. 
     
     
         35 . The surgical stapling device according to  claim 33 , wherein a recess defined within the staple deformation element seats the pusher tab to the second position after deformation of the series of staples. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical stapling device according to  claim 33 , wherein a rear camming surface disposed on the staple deformation element sequentially engages each pusher tab upon retraction of the staple deformation element to reset each respective pusher member within the cartridge assembly. 
     
     
         37 . The surgical stapling device according to  claim 32 , wherein each abutting member of the series of abutting members of each pusher member includes a recess defined therein for supporting one of the series of staples. 
     
     
         38 . A surgical stapling device, comprising:
 a body including a tool assembly disposed at a distal end thereof, the tool assembly including a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly pivotably coupled thereto such that the tool assembly is moveable from an open position to a clamped position, the cartridge assembly including a staple deformation element disposed therein configured to operably engage and deform a plurality of staples upon distal movement thereof; and   a drive assembly disposed within the body and configured to operably engage the staple deformation element upon actuation thereof, the drive assembly including an elongated drive bar having a clamping member at a distal end thereof, the clamping member including a retraction member disposed thereon,   wherein, upon actuation, the retraction member is configured to both force the staple deformation element distally upon actuation of the drive assembly and pull the staple deformation element proximally upon retraction of the drive assembly.   
     
     
         39 . The surgical stapling device according to  claim 38 , wherein the retraction member includes a button-like mechanical interface that is configured to mate within a corresponding aperture defined within the staple deformation element, the button-like mechanical interface aligning for engagement within the corresponding aperture when the tool assembly is moved to the closed position. 
     
     
         40 . The surgical stapling device according to  claim 39 , wherein the button-like mechanical interface is impeded from engaging the corresponding aperture when the tool assembly is in the open position. 
     
     
         41 . The surgical stapling device according to  claim 39 , wherein, after actuation and retraction of the staple deformation element, the button-like mechanical interface disengages from the corresponding aperture upon moving the tool assembly to the open position.