True multi-fire surgical stapler configured to fire staples of different sizes

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/263,171, filed on Oct. 31, 2008, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/956,988, filed Dec. 14, 2007, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/851,379, filed Sep. 6, 2007, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The invention generally relates to surgical staples and stapling, and more specifically to true multi-fire surgical staplers that need not be reloaded between firings.

[0003] An endocutter is a surgical tool that staples and cuts tissue to transect that tissue while leaving the cut ends hemostatic. An endocutter is small enough in diameter for use in minimally invasive surgery, where access to a surgical site is obtained through a trocar, port, or small incision in the body. A linear cutter is a larger version of an endocutter, and is used to transect portions of the gastrointestinal tract. A typical endocutter receives at its distal end a disposable single-use cartridge with several rows of staples, and includes an anvil opposed to the cartridge. The surgeon inserts the endocutter through a trocar or other port or incision in the body, orients the end of the endocutter around the tissue to be transected, and compresses the anvil and cartridge together to clamp the tissue. Then, a row or rows of staples are deployed on either side of the transection line, and a blade is advanced along the transection line to divide the tissue.

[0004] During actuation of an endocutter, the cartridge fires all of the staples that it holds. In order to deploy more staples, the endocutter must be moved away from the surgical site and removed from the patient, after which the old cartridge is exchanged for a new cartridge. The endocutter is then reinserted into the patient. However, it can be difficult and/or time-consuming to located the surgical site after reinsertion. Further, the process of removing the endocutter from the patient after each use, replacing the cartridge, and then finding the surgical site again is tedious, inconvenient and time-consuming, particularly where a surgical procedure requires multiple uses of the endocutter. That inconvenience may discourage surgeons from using the endocutter for procedures in which use of an endocutter may benefit the patient. Similar inconveniences may accompany the use of surgical staplers other than endocutters.

[0056] The use of the same reference symbols in different figures indicates similar or identical items.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 1, an endocutter 2 includes an end effector 4 attached to a shaft 6, which in turn is attached to a handle 8. The end effector 4 may be one or more separate components that are connected to the shaft 6, or may be fabricated integrally with the distal end of the shaft 6. Referring also to FIGS. 2-3, the end effector 4 and the shaft 6 may be sized to pass through a standard trocar port 10 that may be placed through tissue 12 of a patient 14. Advantageously, the end effector 4 may be sized to pass through a trocar port 10 having an opening between 5-10 millimeters in diameter. Alternately, the endocutter 2 may be used in the course of conventional open surgery, where a trocar port is not used. Alternately, the endocutter 2 may be used in the course of minimally-invasive surgery, where access to the surgical site in the patient is gained through a mechanism or structure other than a trocar port, such as the LAP DISC® hand access device of Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., or where access to the surgical site in the patient is gained through an incision or opening in which no port or other mechanism or structure is placed.

[0058] The trocar port 10 is a hollow generally-tubular structure inserted into an incision in tissue 12 of a patient to hold that incision open and to prevent damage to the tissue 12 defining the incision opening that may result from the motion of tools and other objects through the incision. The trocar port 10 may be made from plastic or any other suitable biocompatible material. The trocar port 10 may have a substantially circular cross section, a substantially oval cross section, or any other suitable cross section. The particular dimensions of a trocar port 10 depend on the particular procedure to be performed on the patient 14, and may be any suitable dimensions. The trocar port 10 may be coupled to a cutting tool (not shown) through its center that makes an opening in tissue 12, after which the trocar port 10 is placed into tissue 12. The cutting tool may be a spike or other cutting or puncturing device, which is removed from the trocar port 10 when the trocar port 10 is in position in the chest wall. The combination of a trocar port 10 and a cutting tool is standard in the art.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 1, the shaft 6 of the endocutter 2 extends proximally from the end effector 4. The shaft 6 may be flexible or rigid. The shaft 6 may be articulated in at least one location, if desired. Optionally, the shaft 6 may include a cutaway, trough or other feature (not shown) to allow a guidewire (if any) or other positioning aid that may be used in the surgical procedure to remain in place during actuation of the endocutter 2.

[0060] The handle 8 may be attached to the proximal end of the shaft 6, or any other suitable portion of the shaft 6. The shaft 6 may be fabricated integrally with the handle 8. Alternately, the shaft 6 and the handle 8 may be two separate items that are connected together in any suitable manner. The handle 8 may include any mechanism, mechanisms, structure or structures that are suitably configured to actuate the end effector 4. The handle 8 may also include a source of stored energy for actuating the end effector 4. The source of stored energy may be mechanical (such as a spring), electrical (such as a battery), pneumatic (such as a cylinder of pressurized gas) or any other suitable source of stored energy. The source of stored energy, its regulation, and its use in actuating the end effector 4 may be as described in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/054,265, filed on Feb. 9, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The handle 8 may instead, or also, include a connector or connectors suitable for receiving stored energy from an external source, such as a hose connected to a hospital utility source of pressurized gas or of vacuum, or an electrical cord connectable to a power source.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, a portion of a feeder belt 16 is positioned within the end effector 4. The feeder belt 16 and associated hardware may be as set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/956,988, filed Dec. 14, 2007, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/851,379, filed Sep. 6, 2007, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The feeder belt 16 may be a long, narrow, thin strip of material from which one or more staples 18 extend. The feeder belt 16 may be fabricated from stainless steel, nickel-titanium alloy, or any other suitable metallic or non-metallic material. The feeder belt 16 is flexible enough, and strong enough, to be advanced linearly and then redirected around a nose or other structure in substantially the opposite direction, as described in greater detail below. Alternately, at least part of the feeder belt 16 may be rigid or at least partially rigid, such that the feeder belt 16 may be advanced or retracted substantially linearly without redirection about a structure, or may be otherwise manipulated. Each staple 18 may be shaped in any suitable manner; the staples 18 may be shaped substantially the same as one another, or may be shaped differently. As one example, each staple 18 is generally V-shaped, and has two legs 20 extending from the base of the V-shape. Referring particularly to FIG. 5, one leg 20 of the staple 18 may be generally straight, and the other leg 20 of the staple 18 may be gently curved. However, the legs 20 may be shaped in a different manner. Further, each leg 20 may be shaped in the same manner. The staple 18 need not be symmetrical, but can be fabricated symmetrically if desired. The base of the V-shape of the staple 18 may be curved, pointed or otherwise configured. One leg 20 of the staple 18 has a free end 22 that may be characterized as a tissue penetrating tip 22. The tissue penetrating tip 22 may be sharpened, if desired, to facilitate penetration of tissue. However, the legs 20 of the staple 18 may have a cross-section that is small enough that the tissue penetrating tip 22 need not be sharpened in order to easily penetrate tissue. The other leg 20 is attached at one end to the feeder belt 16. Advantageously, that leg 20 is frangibly connected to the feeder belt 16. Thus, one end of the staple 18 may be attached to the feeder belt 16 and the other end of the staple 18 may be free. Alternately, the staple 18 may have three or more legs 20, or may be shaped in any other suitable manner. The staples 18 may be connected to the feeder belt 16 in any suitable orientation. As one example, one or more of the staples 18 are oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the feeder belt 16. That is, one or more of the staples 18 each may lie in a plane that is generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the feeder belt 16, as shown in FIG. 6. As another example, one or more of the staples 18 each may be oriented in a direction angled relative to the longitudinal centerline of the feeder belt 16. As another example, the staples 18 each may be oriented in a direction angled relative to the transverse direction, which is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the feeder belt 16.

[0062] The feeder belt 16 and staples 18 may be fabricated in any suitable manner. As one example, a flat, thin sheet of material is laser cut into long strips, after which each strip is laser cut to form fingers therein that are then bent into the shape of the staples 18. In this way, the staples 18 and the feeder belt 16 form an integral structure. However, the feeder belt 16 and staples 18 may be fabricated in any other suitable manner. As one example, the staples 18 and feeder belt are fabricated separately, and the staples 18 are then connected to the feeder belt 16 by welding, adhesive, or any other method that provides a frangible connection between the staples 18 and the feeder belt 16.

[0063] A frangible connection between the feeder belt 16 and each corresponding staple 18 may be made in any suitable manner. As one example, referring particularly to FIG. 6, each feeder belt 16 may include at least one tab 28 protruding laterally therefrom, or defined laterally in the center thereof. Alternately, at least one tab 28 may be oriented differently. Advantageously, the tabs 28 result from laser cutting and subsequent mechanical deformation of the staples 18 during manufacturing, such that the tabs 28 and staples 18 are integral with the corresponding feeder belt 16. However, the tabs 28 and/or staples 18 may be fabricated and connected to the feeder belt 16 in any other suitable manner. At least one staple 18 may be attached to a corresponding tab 28 in any suitable manner. The attachment between a staple 18 and the corresponding tab 28 may be made in any suitable manner, and the connection between a staple 18 and the corresponding tab 28 may have any suitable orientation. As one example, at least one tab 28 is generally rectangular, and the corresponding staple 18 extends from the proximal edge of that rectangular tab 28. The staple 18 may be separable from the tab 28, at a location generally at the intersection between the staple 18 and the tab 28. The connection between a staple 18 and the corresponding tab 28 is strong enough to hold the staple 18 securely in place relative to the feeder belt 16 prior to deployment, and weak enough to be broken or otherwise separated from the tab 28 during or after deployment. Optionally, a staple 18 and/or tab 28 may include a weakened area at or near their intersection, in order to facilitate separation between the staple 18 and the feeder belt 16 during or after deployment. The weakened area may have a reduced cross-sectional area, may be notched, or otherwise structurally weakened. Alternately, the weakened area may also, or instead, be physically treated or otherwise configured to be weaker than the surrounding material, while having substantially the same physical dimensions as that surrounding material.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the staples 18 are in an initial configuration prior to being deployed. In the initial configuration, the staples 18 do not substantially contact one another. Alternately, at least two of the staples 18 may contact one another in the initial configuration. The staples 18 each may lie substantially in a single plane. That is, the staple 18 may be shaped such that a single plane extends through and substantially bisects the staple 18. Alternately, at least one staple 18 does not lie substantially in a single plane. At least one staple 18 may be positioned in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the feeder belt 16. Alternately, at least one staple 18 may be positioned in a plane that is angled differently relative to the feeder belt 16. One or more rows 26 of staples 18 are connected to the feeder belt 16. Each row 26 of staples 18 is the group of staples 18 positioned at substantially the same lateral location relative to the longitudinal centerline of the feeder belt 16, and each row 26 of staples 18 is oriented generally longitudinally. As best seen in FIG. 6, three rows 26 of staples 18 may be attached to the feeder belt 16—one row 26 along each side of the feeder belt 16, and one row 26 along the center of the feeder belt 16. The feeder belt 16 may form a continuous loop, or may have a discrete beginning and end that are not attached to one another. Alternately, more or fewer rows 26 of staples 18 may be attached to the feeder belt 16. Each row 26 may extend along part, or all, or the length of the feeder belt 16. Different rows 26 may extend different lengths along the feeder belt 16.

[0065] Staples 18 in two or more different rows 26 along a single feeder belt 16 may be arranged in any suitable manner relative to one another. As one example, staples 18 in two or more different rows 26 along a single feeder belt 16 may be staggered relative to one another. That is, at a given longitudinal position along a single feeder belt 16 at which a staple 18 in one row 26 is attached to the feeder belt 16, at least one other row 26 does not have a staple 18 attached to that feeder belt 16. This staggering of the staples 18 promotes hemostasis in tissue treated with the end effector 4. As may be best seen in FIG. 6, the center row 26 of staples 18 may be staggered relative to the rows 26 of staples 18 along the lateral edges of the feeder belt 16. Alternately, two or more rows 26 of staples 18 may be staggered in a different manner. Alternately, staples 18 in two or more of the rows 26 along a single feeder belt 16 may be aligned with one another, along at least part of the length of the rows 26, such that at a given longitudinal position along the feeder belt 16 at which a staple 18 in one row 26 is attached to the feeder belt 16, each other row 26 has a staple 18 attached to the feeder belt 16 as well. Alternately, staples 18 in two or more rows 26 along a single feeder belt 16 may be arranged differently along different longitudinal portions of that feeder belt 16. Staples 18 may be arranged relative to one another in the same manner, or differently, on different feeder belts 16 of the endocutter 2.

[0066] The staples 18 in each row 26 may be substantially evenly spaced apart from one another. That is, the distance between any two longitudinally-adjacent staples 18 in a row may be substantially the same. Alternately, at least two longitudinally-adjacent staples 18 in each row 26 may be spaced apart a distance different from the distance between two other longitudinally-adjacent staples 18. Such a configuration may be useful where the length of the staple line is not adjustable. The staple line to be created with the end effector 4 may be fixed at a particular number of staples 18, and consequently the staples 18 in each row may be grouped together in groups each having a length substantially the same as that fixed staple line. If so, each group of staples 18 in a row 26 may be separated from a adjacent group of staples 18 by a blank space on the feeder belt 16, where that blank space may have any suitable length. Advantageously, no staples 18 extend from, or into an area bounded by, the blank space of the feeder belt 16.

[0067] Referring also to FIG. 7, the end effector 4 may include a staple holder 30 and an anvil 32. The anvil 32 may be movable relative to the staple holder 30 to compress tissue therebetween. The anvil 32 may include standard staple bending features defined therein to facilitate closure of the staples 18. Alternately, staple bending features may be omitted from the anvil 32. The anvil 32 may be pivotable relative to the staple holder 30. As one example, at least one pin 34 may extend generally laterally from the anvil 32 at a location at or near the proximal end of the anvil 32. Each pin 34 may be received by a trough 36, aperture, or other feature of the staple holder 30 that allows that pin 34 to rotate therein and thereby allows the anvil 32 to pivot. Referring also to FIG. 16, in this way, the distal end of the anvil 32 may be spaced apart from and positioned above the staple holder 30 in a first, initial position prior to clamping tissue, while the proximal end of the anvil 32 may be connected to the staple holder 30. Alternately, the trough 36 may be located in the shaft 6 of the endocutter, such that the anvil 32 is pivotally attached to the shaft 6 and movable relative to the staple holder 30. Alternately, the anvil 32 may be connected to and/or movable relative to the staple holder in a different manner. Alternately, the staple holder 30 may be movable relative to the anvil 32. Alternately, the staple holder 30 and the anvil 32 may be movable relative to one another. The distal end of the staple holder 30 and the distal end of the anvil 32 may be blunt, in order to prevent inadvertent engagement of tissue with the end effector 4 during insertion of the end effector 4 into the patient and motion of the end effector 4 to a treatment site. Advantageously, the staple holder 30 is fixed to a remainder of the end effector 4 and/or the shaft 6, and is not detachable therefrom. As set forth in greater detail below, the staple holder 30 may be fired multiple times without being withdrawn from the patient, such that there is no need to withdraw the end effector 4 from the patient after each firing of staples 18 in order to replace a staple cartridge or other component. Nevertheless, if desired the staple holder 30 may be detachable from a remainder of the end effector 4 and/or the shaft 6; the end effector 4 may be detachable from the shaft 6; and/or the shaft 6 may be detachable from the handle 8.

[0068] Referring also to FIG. 7A, the inner surface 202 of the anvil 32, which is the surface of the anvil 32 oriented generally toward the staple holder 30, may include staple forming pockets 204 defined therein. As described in greater detail below, referring also to FIGS. 18-20, 30-33 and 35, as the staples 18 are deployed, the free end 22 of each staple 18 may be forced into a corresponding staple forming pocket 204, whereby contact between the free end 22 and proximal leg 196 of that staple 18 causes that staple 18 to close. Referring also to FIG. 7B, each staple forming pocket 204 may be shaped in any suitable manner. As one example, at least one staple forming pocket 204 may be asymmetrical, with at least two sections having different radii of curvature. Experiment has shown that closure of a staple 18 is improved by the use of a staple forming pocket 204 having a first radius of curvature at a proximal section 206 thereof, and a second, shorter radius of curvature at a distal section 208 thereof. The inner surface 202 of the anvil 32 may include a generally longitudinal slot 210 defined therein, through which at least part of the knife 90 may slide, as described in greater detail below. The slot 210 may have a substantially constant depth along at least part of its length. A cam engagement feature 212 may be defined in the slot 210, with a depth less than an adjacent segment of the slot 210. The cam engagement feature 212, if present, may be sized and shaped to engage the cam surface 107 of the knife 90, as described in greater detail below.

[0069] The staple holder 30 may include any suitable components. Referring also to FIGS. 8-10, the staple holder 30 may include a feeder belt guide 40. The feeder belt guide 40 may be shaped in any suitable manner. The staple holder 30 may be configured such that the distal end of the feeder belt guide 40 is the distal end of the end effector 4. If so, the distal end 42 of the feeder belt guide 40 may be generally blunt. The upper surface 44 of the distal end 42 of the feeder belt guide 40 may be angled generally upward, moving proximally along the feeder belt guide 40. Alternately, the upper surface 44 of the distal end 42 of the feeder belt guide 40 may be shaped in any other suitable manner. One or more apertures 46 may be defined in the upper surface 44 of the distal end 42 of the feeder belt guide 40. Alternately, one or more of the apertures 46 may be omitted, such that the upper surface 44 of the distal end 42 of the feeder belt guide 40 is instead continuous. The distal end 42 of the feeder belt guide 40 may include a space 48 defined therein. At least one nose 50 may protrude distally into that space 48. Each nose 50 may be curved, and may have a convex shape. As one example, each nose 50 may have an arcuate shape, where that arc is a section of a circle. Alternately, at least one nose 50 may be shaped differently. As one example, at least one nose 50 may be shaped as two or more straight lines that collectively approximate a curve, roughly or smoothly.

[0070] Referring also to FIG. 12, the end effector 4 may include two feeder belts 16. In this way, staples 18 can be deployed on either side of an incision or transection to be made in tissue. Alternately, the end effector 4 may include only one feeder belt 16, or three or more feeder belts 16. The feeder belts 16 may be independent of one another, or connected to one another in any suitable manner. A feeder belt 16 may be routed around each nose 50, where the noses 50 are laterally spaced from one another and positioned on opposite sides of a knife, which is described below. Each feeder belt 16 may be routed along a path that starts generally straight and in the distal direction, then is curved along the surface of the corresponding nose 50, and then is generally straight and in the proximal direction. That is, the nose 50 changes the direction of motion of the corresponding feeder belt 16 from generally distal to generally proximal. Each nose 50 may be substantially as wide as the corresponding feeder belt 16 that moves along its surface. Alternately, at least one nose 50 may be narrower than, or wider than, the corresponding feeder belt 16. Alternately, the nose 50 may be omitted, where the feeder belt 16 is movable generally linearly.

[0071] At least one nose 50 may be bifurcated by a slot 52 defined therein. The slot 52 may be oriented generally longitudinally. However, the slot 52 may be defined in any other suitable orientation. Each feeder belt 16 is positioned in contact with at least part of a corresponding nose 50, with staples 18 in each lateralmost row 26 of the feeder belt 16 positioned laterally on either side of the nose 50. Where the feeder belt 16 includes a row 26 of staples 18 in the middle of that feeder belt, such as shown in FIG. 6, the slot 52 in the nose 50 may be laterally oriented in substantially the same position as the middle row 26 of staples 18. In this way, the slot 52 provides space for that middle row 26 of staples 18 to slide along. Alternately, at least one nose 50 may be divided into segments by two or more slots 52, depending on the number of rows 26 of staples 18 attached to the corresponding feeder belt 16. Alternately, the slot or slots 52 need not extend to the distal end of the nose 50, because the staples 18 have been deployed from the corresponding segment of the feeder belt 16 by the time that segment of the feeder belt 16 reaches the nose 50, as described in greater detail below. Alternately, at least one slot 52 may be omitted. At least one nose 50 may extend in the proximal direction any suitable length. Similarly, the remainder of the feeder belt guide 40 may extend in the proximal direction any suitable length. The portion of the feeder belt guide 40 proximal to the distal end 42 may be referred to as the insert 43. A knife slot 54 may extend along the length of the feeder belt guide 40, and may extend through the upper surface 44 of the distal end 42 of the feeder belt guide 40.

[0072] Referring also to FIG. 34, one or more pulleys 180 may be utilized in place of the nose 50. The pulleys 180 may be generally circular in shape, or may be shaped in any other suitable manner. Each pulley 180 may have a width substantially equal to or less than a corresponding feeder belt 16. Optionally, at least one pulley 180 may be wider than a corresponding feeder belt 16, because staples 18 have been sheared or otherwise separated from the portion of the feeder belt 16 that contacts the pulley 16, as set forth in greater detail below. Consequently, a single pulley 180 may be used if desired, where that pulley 180 is at least as wide as the distance between the lateralmost edges of the feeder belts 16, taken collectively. Each pulley 180 rotates about an axle 182. Referring also to FIG. 11, at least one aperture 184, depression, or other feature may be defined in the housing 60 near the distal end thereof, such that the axle 182 is received therein. As one example, two apertures 184 are located in proximity to the distal end of the housing 60, and the axle 182 extends into both apertures 184. The apertures 184 are oriented relative to the housing 60 such that the axle 182 is in turn oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the housing 60. The axle 182 may be fixed to the housing 60 at one or more apertures 184, or may be free to rotate relative to the apertures 184. As another example, at least one pulley 180 is fixed to the axle 182, and the axle is allowed to rotate freely relative to the apertures 184. Each pulley 180 advantageously may be an idler pulley that acts to tension the corresponding feeder belt 16, and that rotates freely as the corresponding feeder belt 16 is advanced. The use of one or more pulleys 180 advantageously reduces friction during advancement of the feeder belt 16, compared with the use of a fixed nose 50.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 11, a housing 60 is shown. The housing 60 may be fabricated from a single piece of sheet metal. Alternately, the housing 60 may be fabricated in any other suitable manner and/or from any other material. The housing 60 may include a generally flat base 62, with two outer walls 64 extending upward generally perpendicularly from the base 62. The base 62 and outer walls 64 may be generally rectangular. The outer walls 64 may be generally parallel to one another. Alternately, the base 62 and outer walls 64 may be shaped differently, and/or oriented differently relative to one another. A top plate 66 may extend generally laterally from the upper edge of each outer wall 64, such that the two top plates 66 generally lie in the same plane. Each top plate 66 may be generally rectangular. A number of apertures 67 may be defined in each top plate 66, where the apertures 67 allow for deployment of staples 18 therethrough. The two top plates 66 may be spaced apart from one another along their length. An inner wall 68 extends generally downward from the inner edge of each top plate 66, and may be generally perpendicular to the corresponding top plate 66. Each inner wall 68 may be generally rectangular, and the inner walls 68 may be spaced apart from and generally parallel to one another. However, at least one inner wall 68 may be shaped and/or oriented differently. The inner walls 68 may be spaced apart far enough to allow a knife to pass between them, as described in greater detail below. The lower edge of at least one inner wall 68 may contact the base 62, or may be spaced apart from the base 62. A receiving space 70 is a volume in the housing created by the base 62, outer wall 64, top plate 66 and inner wall 68. Two receiving spaces 70 may be defined in the housing 60.

[0074] At least part of the housing 60 may omit the top plates 66 and/or inner walls 68, such that at least part of the housing 60 is generally U-shaped. The feeder belt guide 40 may be attached to the housing 60. This attachment may be accomplished in any suitable manner. As one example, the insert 43 portion of the feeder belt guide 40 may be inserted into one or more receiving spaces 70, then fixed thereto in any suitable manner. As another example, the feeder belt guide 40 may not include an insert 43, and the feeder belt guide is attached to the distal end of the housing 60 in any suitable manner. As another example, the feeder belt guide 40 may be fabricated integrally with the housing 60. Alternately, the feeder belt guide 40 is not attached to or fixed to the housing 60.

[0075] Referring also to FIG. 13, one or more wedge assemblies 72 extend into the staple holder 30 of the end effector 4. Each wedge assembly 72 may include a wedge 74 at the distal end of a arm 76. Alternately, the wedge 74 may be positioned at a different location on the arm 76. The wedge 74 may be shaped in any suitable manner. As one example, the upper surface of the wedge 74 may include a first surface 79 that may be angled or curved upward, moving in the distal direction. The wedge 74 may also include a second surface 80 distal to the first surface 79, where the second surface may be angled or curved downward, moving in the distal direction. The intersection between the first surface 79 and the second surface 80 may be a curved or smooth peak 82. Alternately, the peak 82 may form an unsmoothed angle between the first surface 79 and the second surface 80. The lower surface of the wedge 74 may be substantially linear. Alternately, the lower surface of the wedge 74 may be curved, angled or otherwise shaped in any suitable manner. A tab 78 may be connected to the proximal end of the arm 76. Alternately, the tab 78 may be positioned at a different location on the arm 76. The tab 78 may be substantially rectangular, or may be shaped in a different manner. The tab 78 may extend in a downward direction from the arm 76, and the wedge 74 may extend in an upward direction from the arm 76. Alternately, the wedge 74 and/or tab 78 are oriented differently relative to the arm 76. Advantageously, the wedge assembly 72 is fabricated as a single, integral structure. However, the wedge assembly 72 may be assembled from separate components, in any suitable manner. Referring to FIG. 12, each wedge 74 may be initially positioned distal to a row 26 of staples 18, and may be generally longitudinally aligned with, and longitudinally movable relative to, that corresponding row 26 of staples 18. The length of each wedge 74 may be equal to or less than the longitudinal spacing between staples 18 in a row 26, such that the wedge 74 deploys each staple 18 before moving into contact with the subsequent staple 18 in the row 26. This configuration of wedge 74 is particularly useful where the length of the staple line is adjustable, because the deployment of one staple 18 is independent of the deployment of any other staple 18. Alternately, the wedge 74 may be longer than the longitudinal spacing between staples 18 in a row 26, such that deployment of one staple 18 concludes while the longitudinally-adjacent staple 18 is in the middle of deployment. Such a configuration of wedge 74 may be useful where the length of the staple line is fixed, and a blank space is provided on the feeder belt 16 between groups of staples 18 along a row 26.

[0076] Referring also to FIG. 14, the tab 78 of each wedge assembly 72 may be inserted into a receiving slot 86 in a block 84. Each receiving slot 86 may be defined partially into, or completely through, the block 84. The receiving slot or slots 86 may be defined in the upper surface 88 of the block 84, or in a different surface of the block 84. The receiving slot or slots 86 may be positioned at or near the distal end of the block 84, or at a different location on the block 84. Referring also to FIG. 15, a knife 90 may include a hook 92 at its proximal end. A pin 94 may extend laterally across a knife receiving slot 96 defined in the distal end of the block 84, and the hook 92 may engage that pin 94. The pin 94 may be generally cylindrical, or may have any other suitable shape for engaging the hook. Alternately, the knife receiving slot 86 is defined in a different part of the block 84. Alternately, the hook 92 of the knife 90 may be a tab similar to the tab 78 of the wedge assembly 72, and the knife receiving slot 86 may thus be configured in the same way as the receiving slots 86 for the tabs 78 of the wedge assemblies 72. Alternately, the hook 92 may be shaped in any other suitable manner, such as a shape that is not a hook, and the knife receiving slot 96 may be configured accordingly. Alternately, the receiving slots 86, knife receiving slot 86 and/or tabs 78 may be omitted, and the wedge assemblies 72 and/or knife 90 are connected to the block 84 in a different way, such as by molding. Alternately, the wedge assemblies 72, knife 90 and block 84 may be fabricated as an integral unit. The block 84 may be generally shaped as a rectangular solid. Alternately, the block 84 may be shaped in any other suitable manner. A protrusion 98 may extend generally upward from the upper surface 88 of the block 84, at a location at or near the proximal end of the block 84. Alternately, the protrusion 98 may extend in a different direction and/or may extend from a different location on the block 84. The protrusion 98 may be generally shaped as a rectangular solid, but may be shaped in any other suitable manner. Alternately, the block 84 may be omitted, and the wedge assembly 72 and knife 90 may be controlled and/or manipulated in any other suitable manner.

[0077] At least part of the block 84 may be positioned in a space such as the recess 120 (FIG. 17A) defined within the end effector 4 and/or the shaft 6, and the block 84 may be longitudinally slidable along that space in order to control the motion of the wedge assemblies 72 and the knife 90. Alternately, the block 84 may be positioned differently relative to the end effector 4 and/or the shaft 6. Optionally, one or more sliders 100 may extend downward from the lower surface 102 of the block 84 to engage a corresponding feature or features in the end effector 4 and/or shaft 6 in order to facilitate sliding of the block 84. Alternately, the sliders 100 may be omitted. Referring also to FIG. 16, a rod 104 may be connected to the protrusion 98 in any suitable manner. As one example, the rod 104 may be molded into the protrusion 98. The distal end of the rod 104 may be connected to the protrusion 98, and the rod 104 may extend through the shaft 6 such that the proximal end of the rod 104 extends into the handle 8. The rod 104 may be generally rigid, and may extend generally longitudinally into the shaft 6 and/or through the shaft 6 to the handle 8. Alternately, the rod 104 may be flexible and/or threaded, and the rod 104 may engage corresponding threads provided in the protrusion 98 or other part of the block 84. In this way, rotation of the rod 104 causes the block 84 to advance or retract longitudinally.

[0078] Referring also to FIG. 15, the knife 90 may include a body 106 extending in the distal direction from the hook 92. Like the arm 76 of a wedge assembly 72, the body 106 of the knife 90 may be laterally thin, and longer than it is wide or high. Alternately, the body 106, and/or at least one arm 76, may be shaped differently. The body 106 may include a cam surface 107 extending upward therefrom, at a location between the proximal and distal ends of the body 106. The cam surface 107 may be shaped in any suitable manner. As one example, the cam surface 107 may extend gradually upward in the distal direction, then end at a vertical surface substantially perpendicular to a portion of the body 106 proximal to the cam surface 107. Referring also to FIG. 7A, the cam surface 107 may be shaped and sized to engage a corresponding feature 200 defined on the surface of the anvil 32 in order to cam the knife 90 away from the anvil 32 during at least part of the actuation of the endocutter 2 and/or the advancement of unfired staples 18 into firing position, as described in greater detail below. A blade 108 may be located at the distal end of the body 106. Advantageously, the knife 90 may be fabricated as a single, integral structure. However, the knife 90 may be assembled from a separate hook 92, body 106 and/or blade 108. The blade 108 may be configured in any suitable manner for cutting tissue. As one example, the blade 108 includes a cutting edge 110 along its upper edge, where that cutting edge 110 may be angled upward. moving proximally along the blade 108. Alternately, the cutting edge 110 may be oriented differently, or positioned differently on the blade 108. Referring also to FIG. 11, the knife 90 is movable along at least part of the space between the inner walls 68 of the housing 60. Part of each feeder belt 16 is positioned in each receiving space 70, laterally outward from the inner walls 68 of the housing 60. Thus, the knife 90 is movable longitudinally between two feeder belts 16.

[0079] Optionally, the blade 108 and/or cutting edge 110 of the knife 90 may be heated in order to cauterize tissue. Optionally, an electric current may be passed through the blade 108 of the knife 90 such that the blade 108 electrically cauterizes tissue. The blade 108 may be unipolar, or may be one pole of a bipolar system. Optionally, the knife 90 may be omitted, and in its place a wire may be used. The wire may be threaded distally into the staple holder 30, upward from the staple holder 30 into the anvil 32, then proximally out of the anvil 32. Proximal motion of the wire causes the wire to move through tissue, cutting it. The wire may be an electrode, such that electricity may be applied to it to facilitate both cutting and electrocauterization of tissue. The wire may be removed after each use and a new wire advanced, in order for the end effector 4 to be able to clamp another tissue structure, and to allow the wire to be replaced each time to maximize its cutting and/or cauterizing ability.

[0080] Referring also to FIG. 16, a cross-sectional view of the end effector 4 in an initial configuration is shown. The blade 108 of the knife 90 may be positioned entirely within the staple holder 30 in the initial configuration, to ensure that the cutting edge 110 does not incise tissue as the end effector 4 is moved to the surgical site. Further, the blade 108 may be positioned within the distal end 42 of the feeder belt guide 40 in the initial configuration. Alternately, the blade 108 may be positioned differently. In the initial configuration, the staples 18 may be positioned within the staple holder 30 in position for deployment, each located under a corresponding aperture 67 in the top plate 66. The block 84 is located in an initial position corresponding to the initial position of the blade 108 and the wedge assemblies 72. Advantageously, in the initial configuration, the wedge assemblies 72 and the knife 90 are each in their most-distal position. However, at least one wedge assembly 72 and/or the knife 90 may be positioned differently in the initial position.

[0081] Referring also to FIG. 17, a retainer 112 may be positioned between the end effector 4 to the shaft 6. Optionally, the retainer 112 may provide a connection between the end effector 4 and the shaft 6, such as by friction or interference fitting with both the end effector 4 and the shaft 6, or by otherwise connecting both the end effector 4 and the shaft 6 to the retainer 112. Alternately, the retainer 112 may be positioned entirely within the end effector 4. The retainer 112 may be shaped in any suitable manner. The retainer 112 may include an extension 114 protruding distally from a first body segment 118, where the extension 114 includes a ramp 116 at the distal end thereof. The ramp 116 may be angled upward in the proximal direction. The ramp 116 may be generally linear. Alternately, the ramp 116 may be oriented differently, and may be curved or otherwise shaped. The first body segment 118 may be shaped and sized to be received in the proximal end of the housing 60, and at least part of the first body segment 118 may extend into the proximal end of at least one receiving space 70 of the housing 60. The first body segment 118 may be fixed to the housing 60, such as by pressure or interference fitting, by adhesive, by welding, or by any other suitable mechanism or method. Alternately, the first body segment 118 is not fixed to the housing 60. Alternately, the retainer 112 is not fixed or connected to the housing 60. Alternately, the retainer 112 may be omitted. Optionally, at least part of the feeder belt guide 40 may be connected to the retainer 112 as well. As one example, the insert 43 of the feeder belt guide 40 may extend completely through a receiving space 70 in the housing 60 and into contact with the retainer 112. If so, the feeder belt guide 40 may be connected to the retainer 112 in any suitable manner.

[0082] Referring also to FIG. 17A, the underside of the retainer 112 may include a recess 120 defined therein. The recess 120 may be shaped and sized to allow the block 84 to slide therein. The recess 120 may include a slot 122 defined therethrough, where the slot 122 may receive the protrusion 98 and allow the protrusion 98 to slide therein. The recess 120 and/or slot 122 may guide the motion of the block 84 longitudinally and restrict motion of the block 84 proximal or distal to certain locations, and may also or instead restrict lateral motion of the block 84. For example, the recess 120 may include a distal wall 124 that contacts the distal end of the block 84 when the block 84 has advanced distally as far as desired, and a proximal wall 126 that contacts the proximal end of the block 84 when the block 84 has retracted proximally as far as desired. Alternately, the recess 120 may be defined in a different part of the retainer 112, or may be omitted.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 30, optionally sliding clamps 160 may be provided, where each set of sliding clamps 160 may be associated with a corresponding feeder belt 16. Each set of sliding clamps 160 may include an upper clamp 162 and a lower clamp 164, where at least one of the clamps 162, 164 is slidable relative to the other. The lower clamp 164 may have a slot 166 defined generally longitudinally therein and oriented generally upward. The upper clamp 162 may have a tongue 168 oriented generally downward, where the tongue 168 is sized and configured to be received in the slot 166 in the lower clamp 164. The tongue 168 may be narrower than the remainder of the upper clamp 162, or may be sized in any other suitable manner. The wider area of the upper clamp 162 from which the tongue 168 extends forms a ledge 169 at its lower surface. The upper surface of the upper clamp 162 may be substantially as wide as the feeder belt 16.

[0084] Referring also to FIG. 31, initially the distal end of the upper clamp 162 may extend further in the distal direction than the distal end of the lower clamp 164. Alternately, the distal end of the lower clamp 164 initially may extend further in the distal direction than the distal end of the upper clamp 162. Alternately, initially the distal ends of each clamp 162, 164 may extend substantially the same distance in the distal direction. The upper surface of the lower clamp 164 may have a cam surface 170 defined thereon. Similarly, the ledge 169 of the upper clamp 162 may be shaped to define a cam surface 172 thereon. The two cam surfaces 170, 172 engage one another such that, in the initial position of the two clamps 162, 164, the height of the upper clamp 162 is lower than the height of the upper portion of the corresponding feeder belt 16; as a result, the feeder belt 16 can be advanced without being restrained by the upper clamp 162. Referring also to FIGS. 32-33, the cam surfaces 170, 172 are shaped such that, as the upper clamp 162 is retracted proximally and/or the lower clamp 164 is advanced distally, the upper clamp 162 is pushed upward into contact with the feeder belt 16. Such contact provides additional support for the feeder belt 16 during deployment of the staples 18.

[0085] Referring also to FIGS. 34 and 44, each feeder belt 16 may be associated with a single clamp 161. Each clamp 161 may be generally rectangular in shape. The upper surface of each clamp 161 may be substantially as wide as the corresponding feeder belt 16. Each clamp 161 may be located slightly proximal to the nose 50 or pulleys 180, or may be positioned differently. Each clamp 161 may include at least one tab 322 extending downward. Referring also to FIG. 44, a plurality of slots 324 may extend through the base 62 of the housing 60, where each slot 324 corresponds to the initial, unclamped location of a tab 322 of the corresponding clamp 161. Each tab 322 may be sized to enter the corresponding slot 324 substantially completely, before the feeder belt 16 is clamped. Optionally, the distal end of at least one slot 324 may include a ramp 327 sloping upward in the distal direction. Similarly, the distal end of at least one tab 32 may include a ramp 328 sloping upward in the distal direction. Referring also to FIG. 45, each clamp 161 may be fixed or otherwise coupled to the overtube 236, such that distal motion of the overtube 236 urges the clamps 161 distally to a clamped position, and such that proximal motion of the overtube 236 urges the clamps 161 proximally to an unclamped position. As one example, each clamp 161 may include a connector block 330 at its proximal end, or at any other suitable location. Both clamps 161 may be connected to the same connector block 330. Each connector block 330 may be fixed to the overtube 236 in any suitable manner. As one example, the overtube 236 may include an aperture between two spaced-apart bent-inward tabs 332 of the wall of the overtube 236. The overtube 236 may be cut, such as by laser cutting, to form the aperture and to form the tabs 332. The tabs 332 may be bent inward a sufficient amount to hold the connector block 330 therebetween during motion of the overtube 236. Alternately, the clamps 161 may be fixed or otherwise coupled to the overtube 236 in any other suitable manner.

[0086] Endocutter—Two Staple Rows

[0087] Referring also to FIG. 6, the endocutter 2 described above includes an end effector 4 configured to place two or more sets of three rows 26 of staples 18. However, the end effector 4 may be configured to place two or more sets of different numbers of rows 26 of staples 18, such as by changing the number of rows 26 of staples 18 on the one or more feeder belts 16. Such an end effector 4 may be configured generally as described above. As one example, referring to FIGS. 18-20, a feeder belt 16 may include two rows 26 of staples 18. With such a feeder belt 16, one row 26 of staples 18 may be located along each side of the feeder belt 16. As a result, the feeder belt 16 may be narrower than a feeder belt 16 in which a third row 26 of staples 18 extends along the center portion of the feeder belt 16. Thus, by reducing the number of rows 26 of staples 18, the end effector 4 may be reduced in size. For example, the end effector 4 described above as having three rows 26 of staples 18 may be sized to fit through a trocar port 10 having a 10 mm diameter passage therethrough, and an end effector 4 having two rows 26 of staples 18 may be sized to fit through a trocar port 10 having a 5 mm diameter passage therethrough. Referring to FIGS. 18-20, the staples 18 may be shaped, and positioned relative to the feeder belt 16, substantially as described above with regard to the feeder belt 16 having three rows 26 of staples 18. Alternately, the staples 18 may be shaped differently and/or positioned in any other suitable manner relative to the feeder belt 16. The staples 18 may be frangibly connected to the feeder belt 16 substantially as described above. Alternately, the staples 18 may be connected to the feeder belt 16 in any other suitable manner.

[0088] At least two staples 18 in different rows 26 may be staggered relative to one another. That is, at a given longitudinal position along the feeder belt 16 at which a staple 18 in one row 26 is attached to the feeder belt 16, the other row 26 does not have a staple 18 attached to the feeder belt 16. This staggering of the staples 18 promotes hemostasis in tissue treated with the end effector 4. Alternately, staples 18 in each row 26 may be aligned with one another, such that at a given longitudinal position along the feeder belt 16 at which a staple 18 in one row 26 is connected to the feeder belt 16, each other row 26 has a staple 18 connected to the feeder belt 16 as well.

[0089] The staples 18 in each row 26 may be substantially evenly spaced apart from one another. That is, the distance between any two longitudinally-adjacent staples 18 in a row is substantially the same. Alternately, at least two longitudinally-adjacent staples 18 in each row 26 may be spaced apart a distance different from the distance between two other longitudinally-adjacent staples 18. Such a configuration may be useful where the length of the staple line is not adjustable. The staple line to be created with the end effector 4 may be fixed at a particular number of staples 18, and the staples 18 in each row may be grouped together in groups each having a length substantially the same as that fixed staple line. Each group of staples 18 in a row 26 may thus be separated from the adjacent group of staples 18 by a blank space on the feeder belt 16, where that blank space may have any suitable length.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 21, the configuration of the end effector 4 utilizing feeder belts 16 each having two rows 26 of staples 18 is similar to the configuration of the end effector 4 utilizing feeder belts 16 each having three rows 26 of staples 18, as shown in FIG. 16. Referring to FIG. 22, the housing 60 may be configured similarly to the housing of FIG. 11. The housing 60 includes two rows of apertures 67 in each top plate 66, corresponding to the two rows 26 of staples 18 of each feeder belt 16. Due to the presence of two, rather than three, rows of apertures 67 in each top plate 66, the top plates 66 and thus the housing 60 overall may be narrower than the housing of FIG. 16. Optionally, at least part of the housing 60 may omit the top plates 66 and/or inner walls 68. Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, the block 84 optionally may be configured differently than the block 84 of FIG. 14, in order to fit within a narrower end effector 4. The projection 98 may be longer in the longitudinal direction than the projection 98 of the block 84 of FIG. 14. The distal end or other portion of the rod 104 may be attached to the protrusion 98 in any suitable manner. As one example, the rod 104 may be molded into the protrusion 98. A riser 130 may extend upward from the upper surface 88 of the block 84, where a knife receiving slot 96 may be defined generally longitudinally in the riser 130. The riser 130 may be generally triangular, or may be any other suitable shape. Optionally, the riser 130 may be connected to or part of the protrusion 98 that engages the rod 104. A pin 94 may extend laterally across the knife receiving slot 96 of the riser 130, and engages the hook 92 at the proximal end of the knife 90. Alternately, the block 84 may be omitted.

[0091] Two receiving slots 86 may be defined partially into, or completely through, the block 84, generally as described with regard to FIG. 14 above. Referring also to FIG. 23A, another example of a wedge assembly 72 is shown. The wedge assembly 72 includes a tab 78 and an arm 76, as with the wedge assembly 72 of FIG. 14. However, the wedge assembly 72 of FIG. 23A includes two or more wedges 74 at its distal end, where the wedges 74 may be spaced apart laterally from one another and may be generally parallel to one another. In this way, multiple wedges 74 can be controller by a single arm 76, reducing the number of parts needed in the end effector 4 and allowing the end effector 4 to be made narrower. The wedges 74 may be shaped as set forth with regard to FIG. 14, or may be shaped in any other suitable manner. The tab 78 of each wedge assembly 72 of FIG. 23A may be inserted into a corresponding receiving slot 86 in the block 84 of FIG. 23. Alternately, four receiving slots 86 may be provided in the block 84 of FIG. 23, and the wedge assemblies 72 of FIG. 14 may be used. Alternately, the block 84 may be configured generally as described above and shown in FIG. 14.

[0092] Two exemplary embodiments of the end effector 4 have been described above, and in each one the end effector 4 places two sets of rows 26 of staples 18. However, the end effector 4 may be configured to place one set, or three or more sets, of rows 26 of staples 18. Further, the feeder belt 16 may be configured to place any desired number of rows 26 of staples 18 within a given set of rows 26. Further, any number of feeder belts 16 may be placed on either side of the knife 90. The number of feeder belts 16 on one side of the knife 90 may be the same as, or different from, the number of feeder belts 16 on the other side of the knife 90. The number of feeder belts 16 utilized may be related to the type of tissue that is treated by the end effector 4. The number of rows 26 of staples 18 may be different on each feeder belt 16, or may be the same on each feeder belt 16. The number of rows 26 of staples 18 on an individual feeder belt 16 may vary along the length of that feeder belt 16, or may be constant. As another example of an end effector 4, the knife 90 may be omitted, such that the end effector 4 is simply a stapler that does not cut tissue. If so, any suitable number of feeder belts 16 may be utilized.

[0093] Referring to FIGS. 25-27, another exemplary feeder belt 16 having two rows 26 of staples 18 is shown. This feeder belt 16 may include a plurality of openings 132 defined therein or therethrough. The openings 132 may be round, or any other suitable shape. The openings may all be of substantially the same size and/or shape, and/or may be of different sizes and/or shapes. The openings 132 may be useful in reducing the moment of inertia of the feeder belt 16 such that the feeder belt 16 is more flexible and more easily slides along the nose 50 of the staple holder 30. Instead, or in addition, one or more of the openings 132 may be engaged by pins or gears (not shown) in the handle 8 of the endocutter 2 in order to cause the feeder belt 16 to move. In addition to, or instead of, the openings 132, the feeder belt 16 may have one or more notches 134 defined in one or more lateral edges thereof. Each notch 134 may be located adjacent to a tab 28, or one or more notches 134 may be located differently. The notches 134 also may act to increase the flexibility of the feeder belt 16, and/or to promote engagement between a mechanism in the handle 8 and the feeder belt 16.

[0094] At least one staple 18 may be shaped as a continuous curve, as may be most clearly seen in FIG. 26. A distal end of the staple 18 may be connected to the feeder belt 16, such as via a tab 28 protruding laterally from the feeder belt 16, such as described above. The staple 18 may extend proximally and downward from the tab 28. Then, the staple 18 may continue to curve downward, but also curve distally to form a bump 136. This bump 136 may extend to the longitudinal position of the tab 28, further distally than the longitudinal position of the tab 28, or not as far longitudinally as the tab 28. Then, the staple 18 may continue to curve downward, but also curve proximally. The staple 18 continues to curve proximally, then begins to curve upward at an inflection point 138. The staple 18 then continues to curve upward and proximally until terminating at a free end 22 at its proximal end.

[0095] Referring also to FIG. 35, another exemplary feeder belt 16 connected to two rows of staples 18 is shown. The feeder belt 16 may include openings therethrough as described above with regard to FIGS. 25-27, or may omit such openings. One or more staples 18 connected to the feeder belt 16 of FIG. 35 may include a distal leg 194 and a proximal leg 196 connected to the distal leg 194. The distal leg 194 may be oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the feeder belt 16, and the proximal end of the proximal leg 196 may be oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the feeder belt 16. The proximal leg 196 may curve downward in the distal direction toward its connection to the distal leg 194. Alternately, the distal leg 194 and/pr the proximal end of the proximal leg 196 of the staple 18 may be oriented differently. The distal leg 196 may include a protrusion 198 extending therefrom. The protrusion 198 may be located below the connection between the proximal leg 196 and the feeder belt 16, and may extend in the proximal direction. The protrusion 198 may extend along part of or substantially all of the distal leg 194. The protrusion 198 facilitates closure of the staple 18 during deployment, as described in greater detail below. The connection between the distal leg 194 of a staple 18 and the feeder belt 16 may be coined, in order to facilitate separation between the staple 18 and the feeder belt 16 after closure of the staple 18. However, the distal leg 194 of at least one staple 18 may be connected to the corresponding feeder belt 16 in any other suitable manner. The feeder belt 16 and associated staples 18 may be fabricated in any suitable manner. As one example, the feeder belt 16 and staples 18 may be stamped from a sheet of stainless steel or other metal. The junction between at least one staple 18 and the feeder belt 16 may be coined, and the staples 18 then may be bent substantially ninety degrees relative to the feeder belt 16.

[0096] Referring also to FIGS. 28-28A, the wedge 74 of a wedge assembly 72 may have a shape that facilitates deployment of the staples of FIGS. 25-27. The wedge 74 may have a first segment 140 shaped to facilitate deployment of the staple 18, and a second segment 142 shaped to facilitate shearing or otherwise separating the staple 18 from the feeder belt 16. The first segment 140 is curved upward and distally; the curve may have any shape that facilitates formation of a staple 18. By providing two distinct segments 140, 142 on the wedge 74, formation and separation of the staple 18 can be separately controlled, as described in greater detail below. Referring to FIG. 28, the wedge 74 may include a first ramp 186 extending upward in the distal direction at a first angle relative to the longitudinal centerline of the arm 76. The wedge 74 may include a second ramp 188 extending upward in the distal direction from the distal end of the first ramp 186, at a second angle relative to the longitudinal centerline of the arm 76. The second angle may be more acute than the first angle. The first segment 140 of the wedge 74 may extend longitudinally along substantially the length of the second ramp 188, because contact between the second ramp 188 and a staple 18 closes the staple 18, as described in greater detail below. The wedge 74 may include a spacer segment 190 extending distally from the distal end of the second ramp 188, substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the longitudinal centerline of the arm 76. Alternately, the spacer segment 190 may be oriented in a different direction. The wedge 74 may include a third ramp 192 extending distally from the distal end of the spacer segment 190, extending upward in the distal direction at a third angle relative to the longitudinal centerline of the arm 76. The second segment 142 of the wedge 74 may extend longitudinally along substantially the length of the third ramp 192, because contact between the third ramp 192 and a staple 18 shears or otherwise separates the staple 18 from the corresponding feeder belt 16, as described in greater detail below.

[0097] Handle

[0098] Referring to FIGS. 37-38, the handle 8 may include a housing 214 that protects at least some of the components of the handle 8, and that defines a space 221 therein for those components. The housing 214 may include a heel 216 of a trigger grip, which may be configured to rest in a surgeon's palm during use. The housing 214 may include an axle 218 defined therein, extending into the space 221 within the housing 214. Advantageously, the axle 218 spans the space 221 such that each end is connected to the housing 214. Two different triggers may be rotatably mounted on the axle 218. A clamping trigger 220 may be rotatably mounted on the axle 218. As one example, an aperture 224 may be defined through a portion of the clamping trigger 220, such that the axle 218 is received within the aperture 224. A firing trigger 222 may be rotatably mounted on the axle 218 as well. As one example, the firing trigger 222 may include a head portion 226 that includes two laterally-spaced side walls 228 spaced far enough apart from one another such that the portion of the clamping trigger 220 adjacent to the aperture 224 can fit between the side walls 228. Each side wall 228 may include a head aperture 230 defined therein, such that the axle 218 is received within that aperture 224.

[0099] The clamping trigger 220 includes a grip portion 232 configured for a surgeon to grasp, where that grip portion 232 is on one side of the aperture 224. On another side of the aperture 224, the clamping trigger 220 includes a clamp arm 234. The clamp arm 234 may be sized and shaped in any suitable manner. The clamp arm 234 may be configured to engage an overtube 236, in any suitable manner. As one example, the overtube 236 includes a curved engagement feature 238 defined in a surface thereof. The clamp arm 234 may be curved or rounded at its free end in order to smoothly engage the engagement feature 238 of the overtube 236 as the clamp arm 234 is rotated about the axle 218. The engagement feature 238 may have a radius of curvature slightly less than the distance between the axle 218 and the free end of the clamp arm 234, such that contact between the clamp arm 234 and the engagement feature 238 results in an amount of frictional force sufficient to advance the overtube 236. The head portion 226 of the firing trigger 222 may include a notch 256 defined therein through which the clamp arm 234 extends into contact with the engagement feature 238. The overtube 236 extends distally out of the housing 214, and may include a lumen through which at least part of the shaft 6 extends. The overtube 236 extends to a position slightly distal to the anvil 32 prior to clamping, such that advancement of the overtube 236 causes the anvil 32 to close, as described in greater detail below.

[0100] The overtube 236 may be biased in the proximal direction, such as by a coil spring (not shown) connected to both the overtube 236 and the housing, or in any other suitable manner. A button 240 may be included as a component of the handle 8, where the button 240 is rotatable about a button axle 242 extending from the housing 214. The button 240 may include a stop arm 244 that extends into the proximal end of the overtube 236. The button 240 may include a finger pad 248 angularly spaced from the stop arm 248, where the button 240 may extend out of the proximal end of the housing 216. A tab 250 may also be angularly spaced from the stop arm 244, where a coil spring 252 or other biasing element may be fixed to or placed adjacent to that tab 250. The tab 250 may be oriented toward a pocket 254 in the housing 214, whereby the pocket 254 holds the spring 252 in place. The proximal end of the overtube 236 may include a stop wall 249 extending upward from a lower surface in the lumen 240 of the overtube 236. As the overtube 236 advances, the stop arm 244 of the button drops into place proximal to the stop wall 249 of the overtube 236, preventing the overtube 236 from moving proximally, and locking the overtube 236 in place. The stop arm 244 may drop into place proximal to the stop wall 249 as a result of gravity pulling that stop arm 244 downward, or the stop arm 244 may be biased downward by the compressive force of the spring 252 or other mechanism. As used in this document, terms such as “upward,” “downward” and “lateral” refer to local directions with regard to the drawings and are used for convenience and clarity; such terms do not limit the orientation of the endocutter 2 in use.

[0101] The firing trigger 222 includes a grip portion 258 configured for a surgeon to grasp, where that grip portion 258 is on one side of the head aperture 230. The head portion 226 of the firing trigger 222 includes teeth 260 defined thereon, and a tab 262 angularly spaced apart from the teeth 260. The firing trigger 222 is biased toward an initial position, such as by a coil spring (not shown) attached to a return pin 284 and to the housing 216. The return pin 284 may be connected to the firing trigger 222 at a location on the head portion 226 or any other suitable portion of the firing trigger 222. The force of the spring or other biasing member on the return pin 284 creates a moment about the axle 218 that urges the firing trigger 222 outward to an initial pre-firing position.

[0102] A transmission member 270 may be located within the space 221 within the housing 216, and may include a first rack 272 and a second rack 274 defined thereon. Each of the first rack 272 and the second rack 274 include teeth. The first rack 272 includes teeth configured to engage corresponding teeth 260 of the head portion 226 of the firing trigger 222. The transmission member 270 may have any suitable shape. As one example, the transmission member 270 may include a proximal arm 276 from which the first rack 272 extends downward, and a distal arm 278 from which the second rack 274 extends upward. The distal arm 278 may be located lower than the proximal arm 276, such that the proximal end of the distal arm 278 forms a wall 280. As the firing trigger 222 is actuated, the head portion 226 rotates about the axle 218. Such rotation causes the teeth 260 and tab 262 attached to the head portion 226 to rotate about the axle 218 as well. The tab 262 may initially be positioned adjacent to the distal end of the first rack 272. The distal end of the first rack 272 may include a stop 282 that engages the tab 262 and prevents the tab 262 from moving further proximally. The first rack 272 may be located proximal to, and spaced apart from, the wall 280 of the transmission. Thus, as the head portion 226 rotates about the axle 218, the tab 262 moves away from the first rack 272 and then into engagement with the wall 280 of the transmission 270. The space between the first rack 272 and the wall 280 of the transmission provides a safety margin to the firing trigger 222, such that the endocutter 2 is not inadvertently actuated with only a small input to the firing trigger 222. Further rotation of the head portion 226 of the firing trigger 222 causes the tab 262 to urge the wall 280 of the transmission 270 distally, thereby moving the transmission 270 as a whole distally. This distal motion moves the first rack 272 into contact with the teeth 260 of the head portion 226 of the firing member 222. As a result, further rotation of the head portion 226 causes the teeth 260 of the head portion 226 to engage the first rack 272 and move the transmission 270 further distally. The overtube 236 may include one or more guide features 237 defined in the lumen 241 thereof to guide and/or constrain the motion of the transmission 270. As one example, a guide feature 237 may be a generally horizontal tab positioned above and substantially in contact with an upper surface of the transmission 270. Further, the housing 214 may guide and/or constrain the motion of the transmission 270. As one example, the distal end of the transmission 270 may be vertically constrained between the gear 286 described below and a portion of the housing 214.

[0103] The second rack 274 of the transmission 270 is configured to engage a gear 286 that has two separate sets of teeth. The second rack 274 of the transmission 280 engages the first set of teeth 288 of the gear 286, where the first set of teeth 288 form a circular gear having a first diameter. The second set of teeth 290 form a circular gear having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. Alternately, the teeth 288, 290 may be located on separate gears fixed to one another, rather than on a single gear 286. As the transmission 270 moves distally, the second rack 274 moves distally, engaging the first set of teeth 288 of the gear 286 and causing the gear 286 to rotate. Such rotation in turn causes the second set of teeth 290 to rotate as well. Referring as well to FIG. 39, a driver rack 294 includes teeth 296 that are configured to engage the second set of teeth 290 of the gear 286. During actuation of the firing trigger 222, the gear 286 rotates in a direction such that interaction between the second set of teeth 290 of the gear 286 and the teeth 296 of the driver rack 294 urges the driver rack 294 proximally. Referring to FIGS. 39-40, the driver rack 294 may be fixed to a driver 300 that extends through the shaft 6 to the end effector 4. The driver 300 may include an elongated arm 302 that may have a circular, rectangular, or other suitable cross-section. The elongated arm 302 may be connected to the driver rack 294, and may be fixed to the driver rack 294 in any suitable manner. As one example, the driver rack 294 may include a generally T-shaped passage 304 defined in proximity to the distal end thereof. The T-shaped passage 304 is advantageously open at its distal end, thereby creating an opening 308 at the distal end of the driver rack 294. The opening 308 may be generally rectangular. The passage 304 may be oriented in any suitable direction, such as generally laterally. The elongated arm 302 may include a generally circular button 306 at its proximal end, with a thin extension bar 310 connecting the button 306 to a remainder of the elongated arm 302. The button 306 may be substantially as thick as the T-shaped passage 304, such that the button 306 may slide into and frictionally engage the T-shaped passage 304. The button 306 may be additionally fixed to the driver rack 294 by adhesive, welding and/or any other suitable method and/or mechanism. The bar 310 is sized to slide into the opening 308 of the T-shaped passage 304 as the button 306 enters the T-shaped passage.

[0104] Referring also to FIGS. 42 and 47, moving distally along the elongated arm 302 of the driver 300, a depression 312 may be defined in the upper surface of the elongated arm 302. The depression 312 extends along a portion of the elongated arm 302. A pawl 314 may be located at the distal end of the depression 312. The pawl 314 may be oriented generally proximally and generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the elongated arm 302, such that it is cantilevered over a distal portion of the depression 312. Because the pawl 314 is cantilevered over a portion of the depression 312, it is flexible downward into the depression 312, and may be biased upward in the direction out of the depression 312. Alternately, the pawl 314 may be configured differently. The pawl 314 may include an upward-extending stop 316 in proximity to its proximal end, with a ramp 318 extending proximally and downward from the upper end of the stop 316.

[0105] Moving distally along the elongated arm 302 of the driver 300, referring also to FIG. 43, the distal end of the elongated arm 302 may be connected to a plate 320 that in turn is connected to a plurality of wedge assemblies 72. Alternately, the elongated arm 302 may be connected directly to at least one wedge assembly 72. Alternately, a different portion of the elongated arm 302 may be connected to the wedge assemblies 72, directly or indirectly. The number of wedge assemblies 72 corresponds to the number of staple rows deployed by the end effector 4. The plate 320 may be welded, adhered to, fabricated integrally with, or otherwise positioned on the underside of the distal end of the elongated arm 302. Each wedge assembly 72 may be connected to the plate 320 in any suitable manner. As one example, each wedge assembly 72 may include a tab 78 at or near its proximal end such as seen in FIG. 13, where that tab 78 is configured to be received in a receiving slot in the plate 320 that may be configured in a similar manner as the receiving slot 86 seen in FIG. 14. Advantageously, the wedge assemblies 72 are fixed to the plate 320 in any suitable manner, such as by welding, adhesive, friction fitting, interference fitting, and/or any other suitable methods or mechanisms. Referring back to FIG. 43, at least one wedge 74 may be staggered relative to one or more other wedges 74. That is, at least one wedge 74 may be positioned at a distance from the distal end of the elongated arm 302 different from that of at least one other wedge 74. As a result, where at least one wedge 74 is staggered, the wedges 74 are not laterally aligned relative to one another. As another example, the wedges 74 need not be staggered, and each wedge 74 may be positioned at substantially the same distance from the distal end of the elongated arm 302. As a result, where the wedges 74 are not staggered, the wedges are substantially laterally aligned relative to one another.

[0106] The driver 300 includes the wedge assemblies 72, the elongated arm 302, the button 306, and the bar 310. Where the driver 300 of FIG. 43 is utilized, the wedges 74 may be positioned and oriented relative to the staple holder 30 substantially as described above, such as with regard to FIGS. 11 and 13. Referring also to FIG. 36, the proximal end of the knife 90 may be connected to the driver 300, such as at the plate 320 or the distal end of the elongated arm 302. As one example, a knife axle 301 is located at the distal end of the elongated arm 302, and the hook 92 of the knife 90 engages that knife axle 301 in any suitable manner. Advantageously, the knife 90 is fixed to the knife axle 301, such as by welding.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 40, a top plate 340 may extend above the driver rack 294, without being connected to the driver rack 294. The top plate 340 may be generally elongated. Referring also to FIG. 46, the top plate 340 may include one or more ratchet ramps 342 extending downward from an underside thereof. Each ratchet ramp 342 may extend substantially along a center portion of the underside of the top plate 340, spaced apart from both lateral edges of the top plate 340. Advantageously, the ratchet ramps 342 may be spaced substantially equidistant from the lateral edges of the top plate 340. Each ratchet ramp 342 extends downward in the proximal direction, and may be straight, curved or otherwise shaped. Alternately, at least one ratchet ramp 342 may be shaped or oriented differently. At the proximal end of each ratchet ramp 342, a face 344 may extend upward toward a remainder of the top plate 340. The face 344 may be oriented generally vertically, or may be oriented in any other suitable direction. Where multiple ratchet ramps 342 are utilized, another ratchet ramp 342 may begin immediately proximal to the face 344, or may begin at a location spaced apart from the face 344. A top plate rack 346 may be located on the underside of the top plate 340, lateral to the ratchet ramps 342, and advantageously located on both sides of the ratchet ramps 342.

[0108] Referring also to FIG. 47, the top plate rack 346 includes multiple gear teeth 348 configured to engage one or more spur gears 350. Where the top plate rack 346 includes two sets of gear teeth 348 laterally separated by the ratchet ramp or ramps 342, two spur gears 350 may be used, one configured to engage each set of gear teeth 348. The spur gears 350 may be connected to one another by an axle 352, forming a spur gear assembly 354. The spur gears 350 may be held in place in any suitable manner. As one example, the retainer 112 includes a niche 356 in which the spur gears 350 are held. The niche 356 may include one or more apertures 358 or depressions each configured to hold an end of the axle 352. The spur gear or gears 350 are advantageously idler gears that are not actively driven. However, at least one spur gear 350 may be actively driven if desired.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 40, the distal end of the top plate 340 may be fixed or otherwise connected to an end of a corresponding feeder belt 16 in any suitable manner, such as by welding. The other end of the feeder belt 16 may be fixed or otherwise connected to a bottom plate 360 in any suitable manner such as by welding. The bottom plate 360 includes a bottom plate rack 362 including gear teeth oriented generally upward. The bottom plate 360 may be thin, and generally elongated. The bottom plate 360 may be generally parallel to the top plate 340. The gear teeth of the bottom plate rack 362 of the bottom plate 360 are configured to engage the one or more spur gears 350. Consequently, motion of the top plate 340 and bottom plate 360 are coupled in the opposite direction to one another, as described in greater detail below.

[0110] Operation

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 2-3, at least one trocar port 10 is inserted into an opening in tissue 12 of a patient 14. Where a trocar port 10 includes a cutting tool (not shown) such as a spike, that cutting tool makes an opening in tissue 12, after which the trocar port 12 is placed in tissue. The cutting tool may be removed from the trocar port 10 after the trocar port 10 is in position in tissue 12. Alternately, an opening in tissue 12 may be made first with a separate tool, and the trocar port 10 is then placed in that opening. Multiple trocar ports 10, having the same or different cross-sectional shapes and/or areas, may be placed in the patient 14. The tissue 12 may be the chest wall of the patient 14, thereby providing access to the thoracic cavity. However, the tissue 12 may be the abdominal wall or any other suitable tissue in the patient 14. Alternately, the trocar port or ports 10 are not used, and access to the surgical site is gained in another manner, such as described above.

[0112] Referring also to FIGS. 1, 16 and 21, the end effector 4 of the endocutter 2 is introduced into the patient 14 through one of the trocar ports 10. At least part of the shaft 6 of the endocutter 2 may follow the end effector 4 into the patient 14. Alternately, the trocar port or ports 10 are not used, and the endocutter 2 is used during a conventional open surgical procedure or is introduced into the patient 14 directly through an incision in tissue 12. The end effector 4 is positioned by the user at a surgical site. As one example, referring also to FIG. 29, a surgical site is located on a blood vessel 148 which is to be transected. For clarity, this document describes the operation of the endocutter 2 for transection of a blood vessel 148. However, the use of the endocutter 2 is not limited to blood vessel transection; the endocutter 2 may be used to perform any other suitable procedure at any other surgical site in the body. For example, the endocutter 2 may be used to transect a bile duct, to remove a diseased appendix, to transect gastrointestinal tissue, and/or to transect soft tissue or organs.

[0113] Referring to FIGS. 16 and 21, at least the distal end of the anvil 32 is initially spaced apart from the staple holder 30, such that the end effector 4 is open. The end effector 4 is advanced over the blood vessel 148 to be transected, until the entire diameter of the blood vessel 148 is located between the anvil 32 and the staple holder 30. Advantageously, the blood vessel 148 is substantially at a right angle to the anvil 32 and the staple holder 30. However, the blood vessel 148 may be oriented at any other suitable angle relative to the anvil 32 and the staple holder 30. The end effector 4 is then closed, by moving the anvil 32 closer to the staple holder 30, such that the blood vessel 148 is compressed between the anvil 32 and the staple holder 30. Such closure of the end effector 4 may be accomplished in any standard manner or any other suitable manner. As one example, referring to FIGS. 37-38, the clamping trigger 220 is compressed toward the heel 216 of the housing 214 of the handle 8. As set forth above, as the clamping trigger 220 is compressed toward the heel 216 of the housing 216, the clamp arm 234 rotates about the axle 218 in the housing 214. This rotation causes the free end of the clamp arm 234 to move partially in the distal direction. The clamp arm 234 engages the overtube 236 during its rotation, and in turn urges the overtube 236 to advance distally. As a result, the overtube 236 advances distally toward the anvil 32 and the staple holder 30. As the overtube 236 advances distally, the proximal ends of both the anvil 32 and the staple holder 30 enter the lumen 241 of the overtube 236. As the overtube 236 continues to advance, contact between the distal end of the overtube 236 urges the anvil 32 and staple holder 30 toward one another. The overtube 236 continues to advance distally until the anvil 32 and staple holder 30 have moved together to a final, closed position. The overtube 236 may be used to close the end effector 4 whether the anvil 32 or staple holder 30, or neither, are substantially fixed relative to a remainder of the end effector 4 and/or the shaft 6. The use of an overtube to close an anvil 32 and staple holder 30 is standard in the art. After the end effector 4 has been closed, the tissue to be treated is clamped by the end effector 4. The actuation of the end effector 4 to clamp the tissue to be treated may be referred to as clamping.

[0114] As set forth above, after the end effector 4 is in the clamped position, the stop arm 244 of the button 240 is urged into position proximal to the stop wall 249 in the lumen of the overtube 236. The overtube 236 may be biased proximally such as by a coil spring within the housing 214 connected to both the housing 214 and the overtube 236, or by any other suitable mechanism or method. Thus, after the end effector 4 has been clamped, the clamping trigger 220 may be released. The proximal bias of the overtube 236 attempts to urge the overtube 236 proximally, thereby urging the stop wall 249 of the overtube 236 into contact against the stop arm 244 of the button 240. This contact holds the overtube 236 in position, thereby maintaining the end effector 4 in the clamped position. The surgeon may then remove his or her hand from the clamping trigger 220, and the end effector 4 remains in the clamped position.

[0115] Advantageously, prior to the deployment of staples 18, the feeder belts 16 are clamped into place. By locking the feeder belts 16 into place, the wedges 74 are able to deliver force that deforms and shears the staples 18, rather than moving or deforming the feeder belts 16. Referring to FIGS. 44-45, as one example of clamping the feeder belts 16 in place, distal motion of the overtube 236 in turn urges the clamps 161 distally, because the clamps 161 are fixed or otherwise coupled to the overtube 236. Distal motion of each clamp 161 causes each tab 322 of that clamp 161 to slide upward and distally out of the corresponding slot 324 in the base 62 of the housing 60. Where a tab 322 includes a ramp 328 and the corresponding slot 324 includes a corresponding ramp 327, the ramp 328 of the tab 322 slides up the corresponding ramp 327 of the slot 324, facilitating motion of the clamp 161. The tabs 322 of the clamp 161 then rest on the base 62 of the housing 60, and the upper surface of the clamp 161 presses upward on the underside of the corresponding feeder belt 16. In this way, the feeder belt 16 is clamped into place, and may be tensioned as well.

[0116] As another example of clamping the feeder belts 16 in place, referring also to FIGS. 30-33, the sliding clamps 160 are moved to the second position. Such motion may include sliding the upper clamp 162 proximally and/or sliding the lower clamp 164 distally. During the sliding motion, the tongue 168 of the upper clamp 162 slides along the slot 166 of the lower clamp 164. As the upper clamp 162 and/or lower clamp 164 slide, the cam surfaces 170, 172 engage one another to cause the upper surface of the upper clamp 162 to move upward into contact with the feeder belt 16. Such contact further stabilizes the feeder belt 16 during contact between the wedges 74 and the staples 18.

[0117] After clamping, the end effector 4 is configured to deploy staples 18. Referring also to FIGS. 6, 12 and 43, the wedges 74 are in an initial position, in which each wedge 74 may be distal to the staples 18 in the corresponding row 26. Further, referring also to FIG. 11, at least one staple 18 in each row 26 initially is positioned under a corresponding aperture 67 in the top plate 66 of the housing 60. Advantageously, a staple 18 initially is positioned under each aperture 67 in the top plate 66 of the housing 60. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 17A, where the block 84 is utilized, the block 84 is located at or in proximity to the distal wall 124 of the recess 120, which is the initial position of the block 84. Alternately, in its initial position the block 84 may be located at or in proximity to a proximal end of the recess 120, or may be located differently relative to the recess 120. In a staple holder 30 utilizing the block 84 of FIG. 23, the block 84 may be in an initial position in the staple holder 30 and/or shaft 6 of the endocutter 2, where the block 84 is at or in proximity to a distal end of a recess or space in the staple holder 30 and/or shaft 6. Alternately, the block 84 may be positioned at or in proximity to a proximal end of a recess or space in the staple holder 30 and/or shaft 6, or may be positioned differently relative to the staple holder 30 and/or shaft 6. Referring to FIGS. 15, 16 and 21, the knife 90 is in an initial position relative to the staple holder 30, where the cutting edge 110 of the knife 90 may be held completely within the staple holder 30. At least part of the blade 108 may be held within the staple holder 30 as well. Referring also to FIG. 8, the blade 108 and cutting edge 110 of the knife 90 may be located within the distal end 42 of the feeder belt guide 40.

[0118] The user then actuates the firing trigger 222 to deploy the staples 18 in any suitable manner. As one example, referring to FIGS. 37-38, and as described above, as the firing trigger 222 is compressed toward the heel 216 of the housing 214, the tab 262 and teeth 260 located on the head portion 226 of the clamping trigger move partially in the distal direction. Engagement between the teeth 260 and the first rack 272 of the transmission 270 moves the transmission 270 distally, thereby causing the second rack 274 of the transmission 270 to rotate the gear 286. Referring also to FIG. 41, the second set of teeth 290 of the gear 286 engage the driver rack 294 and move the driver rack 294 proximally. Such proximal motion moves the entirety of the driver 300 proximally, including the wedges 74.

[0119] As another example, referring to FIG. 24, actuation of the firing trigger 222 moves the rod 104 proximally by any suitable mechanism or method. As one example, the proximal end of the rod 104 extends into the handle 8, and a mechanism within the handle 8 moves the rod 104 proximally. The mechanism may be actuated by a release of energy stored within the handle 8. A mechanism for moving a rod 104 linearly is standard; any suitable mechanism or mechanisms may be utilized. Proximal motion of the rod 104 causes the block 84 to move proximally, as a result of the attachment between the rod 104 and the protrusion 98 from the block 84. The proximal motion of the block 84 in turn causes the wedge assemblies 72 and knife 90, which are attached to the block 84, to move proximally. Alternately, the rod 104 may be rotated instead of, or in addition to, being retracted proximally, where such rotation causes proximal motion of the block 84.

[0120] The driver 300 continues to move proximally, such that the wedge assemblies 72 and wedges 74 move proximally. Proximal motion of the wedge assemblies 72 in turn causes proximal motion of each wedge 74, which in turn causes deployment of the staples 18. For clarity, motion of a single wedge 74 to deploy one or more staples 18 in a corresponding row 26 is described. The wedge 74 may be initially distal to the staples 18 in the corresponding generally-linear row 26, and the path of motion of the wedge 74 may be generally parallel to or collinear with the corresponding row 26. As the wedge 74 moves proximally, the first surface 79 of the wedge 74 contacts the distalmost staple 18 in the corresponding row. Referring also to FIG. 5, contact between the first surface 79 and the staple 18 results in the application of force to the staple 18. Because the first surface 79 is angled upward in the distal direction, that force applied to the staple 18 is exerted both proximally and upward. Further, the force applied to the staple 18 results in a moment about the tab 28 that connects the staple 18 to the feeder belt 16. The moment acts on the staple 18 to rotate the staple 18 about the tab 28, such that the free end 22 of the staple 18 moves upward, out of the corresponding aperture 67 in the top plate 66 of the housing 60 and into the blood vessel 148. Alternately, where the tab 28 is not used, the force applied to the staple 18 results in a moment about the location of the connection of the staple 18 to the feeder belt 16. During motion of the wedge 74, the feeder belt 16 may be held substantially in place, either passively such as by friction with the corresponding nose 50, or actively such as by a brake or clutch (not shown) in the handle 8, shaft 6 and/or end effector 4.

[0121] The wedge 74 continues to move proximally, continuing to exert a force on the staple 18 that causes a moment about the tab 28. As the free end 22 of the staple 18 rotates upward, it penetrates completely through the blood vessel 148 and then contacts the lower surface of the anvil 32. Optionally, a standard staple bending feature (not shown) may be defined in the anvil 32 at the location where the free end 22 of the staple 18 contacts the anvil 32. As the free end 22 of the staple 18 contacts the anvil 32, the rotation of the staple 18 about the tab 28 results in motion of the free end 2 both upward and distally. However, contact between the free end 22 of the staple 18 and the anvil 32 prevents further upward motion of the free end 22 of the staple 18. As a result, the free end 22 of the staple 18 moves distally along the lower surface of the anvil 32 and/or staple bending feature defined thereon. This motion may bend or deform the leg 20 of the staple 18 associated with the free end 22, closing the staple 18. The staple 18 may be fabricated from a plastically-deformable material such as stainless steel, such that deformation of the staple 18 may be plastic deformation. Alternately, at least part of at least one staple 18 may be elastically deformable or superelastically deformable.

[0122] As the wedge 74 continues to move proximally, the peak 82 of the wedge 74 approaches close to the staple 18, which may be already completely or substantially completely deformed against the anvil 32. Alternately, deformation of the staple 18 may continue to the point where the peak 82 of the wedge 74 contacts the staple 18. When the peak 82 reaches or comes close to the staple 18, the force exerted on the staple 18 is primarily in the upward direction. Further, this force is exerted on the staple 18 at a location at or in proximity to the tab 28 that connects the staple 18 to the feeder belt 16. That force shears, breaks or otherwise separates the staple 18 from the feeder belt 16. The tab 28 is configured such that the force exerted by the peak 82 of the wedge 74, or by a portion of the wedge 74 in proximity to the peak 82, is sufficient to frangibly separate the staple 18 from the feeder belt 16 by shearing, breaking it off or otherwise separating it. Where the staple 18 and/or tab 28 include a weakened area at or near their intersection, the staple 18 may shear, break or otherwise separate from the feeder belt 16 at that weakened area. The peak 82 may also actively push, urge or otherwise eject the staple 18 completely out of the housing 60. Alternately, the staple 18 is passively ejected from the housing 60, meaning that the staple 18 is not affirmatively urged out of the housing 60; rather, it is simply released from the housing 60 and allowed to exit therefrom. At this point, the deformed and ejected staple 18 is in position in the blood vessel 148. The frangibility of the staples 18 allows the staples 18 to be held securely and reliably by the feeder belt 16, and thus by the staple holder 30, while providing for reliable separation and deployment. The second surface 80 does not substantially contact the staple 18 or tab 28. Alternately, the second surface 80 may be shaped or otherwise configured to assist in deformation and/or ejection of the staple 18.

[0123] As another example, the wedge 74 may be configured as shown in FIG. 28. As stated above, the first segment 140 of that wedge 74 may be shaped to facilitate deployment of the staple 18, and the second segment 142 of that wedge 74 may be shaped to facilitate shearing or otherwise separating the staple 18 from the feeder belt 16. As the wedge 74 is moved relative to a staple 18 and contacts that staple 18, the first segment 140 of the wedge 74 encounters the staple 18 and applies a force to that staple 18 proximally and upward to form that staple 18, substantially as described above. The first segment 140 may be shaped such that formation of the staple 18 is substantially complete by the time the first segment 140 of the wedge 74 has moved out of contact with the staple 18. The second segment 142 may have a shape that facilitates separation of the formed staple 18 from the feeder belt 16. As the wedge 74 continues to move proximally, the first surface 140 moves out of contact with the staple 18, which is substantially formed, and the second surface 142 moves into contact with that substantially-formed staple 18. Where the staple 18 is shaped such as shown in FIGS. 25-27, after that staple 18 has been substantially formed, the bump 136 in that staple 18 may be oriented generally downward and in the path of travel of the second surface 142. Thus, as the second surface 142 slides proximally, it applies a force upward against the bump 136, where that force shears, breaks or otherwise separates the formed staple 18 from the feeder belt 16.

[0124] As another example, the wedge 74 may be configured as shown in FIG. 28A, and the staples 18 may be configured as shown in FIG. 35. As the wedge 74 is moved relative to a staple 18 and contacts that staple 18, the first ramp 186 approaches the staple 18. The first ramp 186 is shaped and sized to allow the second ramp 188 of the wedge 74 to encounter and apply a force to the distal leg 196 of the staple 18. As a result, the second ramp 188 applies a force to that protrusion 198. The protrusion 198 pushes tissue toward the anvil 32 as the staple 18 closes, promoting closure of the tissue. Referring also to FIGS. 7A-7B, as the second ramp 188 forces the distal leg 196 of the staple 18 upward, the free end 22 of the proximal leg 196 of the staple 18 moves upward into the corresponding staple forming pocket 204. The free end 22 of the proximal leg 196 may first encounter the proximal section 206 of the staple-forming pocket 204, which has a first radius of curvature. As the staple 18 continues to be deformed by force applied by the wedge 74 and the free end 22 of the proximal leg 196 continues to be forced upward, the proximal section 206 of the staple-forming pocket 204 deforms that free end 22. The curvature of the proximal section 206 facilitates motion of the free end 22 of the proximal leg 196 along the surface of the staple-forming pocket 204 toward the distal section 208 of that staple-forming pocket 204. The distal section 208 of the staple-forming pocket 204 has a second radius of curvature shorter than the first radius of curvature of the proximal section 206 of the staple forming pocket 204. The tighter radius of curvature of the distal section 208 facilitates motion of the free end 22 of the proximal leg 196 of the staple 18 downward, as part of the closing of the staple 18. As the second ramp 188 of the wedge 74 forces the free end 22 of the proximal leg 196 of the staple 18 along the staple forming pocket 204, that wedge 72 also forces the distal leg 194 of the staple 18 upward. The second ramp 188 may be shaped such that formation of the staple 18 is substantially complete by the time the second ramp 188 of the wedge 74 has moved out of contact with the staple 18. The second segment 142 may include a third ramp 192 that has a shape that facilitates separation of the formed staple 18 from the feeder belt 16. The second segment 142 may be spaced apart a distance from the first segment 188 by a substantially flat or otherwise-shaped spaced segment 190. The spacer segment 190 is advantageously as least as long as the longitudinal dimension of a substantially-closed staple 18, and is located low enough to substantially avoid contact with the staple 18. Alternately, the staple 18 may contact the spacer segment 190 during deployment. As the wedge 74 continues to move proximally, the first surface 140 moves out of contact with the staple 18, which is substantially formed, and the third ramp 192 moves into contact with that substantially-closed staple 18. As the third ramp 192 slides proximally, it applies a force upward against the distal leg 194 of the staple 18, where that force shears, breaks or otherwise separates the formed staple 18 from the feeder belt 16. Where the junction between the staple 18 and the feeder belt 16 is coined, that coining concentrates stress at the junction, facilitating separation between the staple 18 and the feeder belt 16. The force required to shear, break or otherwise separate a staple 18 from the corresponding feeder belt 16 may be any suitable amount of force. As one example, approximately twenty pounds of force separates the staple 18 from the corresponding feeder belt 16. The separation force is selected to ensure that the staples 18 neither fall off the feeder belt 16 in the middle of deployment nor require an excessive amount of force to separate.

[0125] After the staple 18 has been separated from the feeder belt 16, the wedge 74 may continue its motion in the proximal direction. As it does so, it encounters another staple 18, and deforms that staple 18 and separates that staple 18 from the feeder belt 16 in substantially the same manner as described above. The wedge 74 may be long enough that, as the wedge 74 has deformed one staple 18 a substantial amount but that staple 18 has not yet separated from the feeder belt 16, the wedge 74 engages and begins to deform the next most distal staple 18. Alternately, the wedge 74 is short enough that it completely deforms one staple 18, which is then ejected, before the wedge 74 engages and begins to deform the next most distal staple 18.

[0126] The block 84 may be controlled to move each wedge assembly 72 and corresponding wedge 74 longitudinally along a fixed distance, such that a fixed number of staples 18 is deployed by each wedge 74 during each actuation. As a result, referring also to FIG. 29, the length of each staple line 146 in a blood vessel 148 or other tissue is fixed. The term “staple line” refers to the grouping of staples 18 in a row 26 after their ejection into tissue. The block 84 may be controlled to move along a fixed distance in any suitable manner. As one example, the rod 104 is movable proximally along that fixed distance during each actuation of the endocutter 2. Each fixed number of staples 18 in a row 26 may be grouped together and separated from an adjacent group of staples 18 by a blank space on the feeder belt 16, where that blank space may have any suitable length. The blank space allows the wedge 74 to be long enough in the longitudinal direction to engage and begin to deform a second staple 18 while that wedge 74 is still completing the deformation and/or ejection of the previous staple 18. Thus, when the wedge 74 moves proximally far enough to encounter the blank space, no staple 18 is present for that wedge 74 to deform, such that the wedge 74 can complete deformation of each staple 18 in the group without leaving a subsequent staple 18 partially deformed. However, the wedge may be short enough that it completely deforms one staple 18, which is then ejected, before the wedge 74 engages and begins to deform the next most distal staple 18.

[0127] Alternately, the block 84 may be selectively controlled to move each wedge assembly 72 and corresponding wedge longitudinally along a selectable distance, such that a selected number of staples 18 may be deployed by each wedge 74 during actuation. In this way, the length of the staple line 146 in a blood vessel 148 or other tissue is variable, and selectable by the user. The block 84 may be selectively controlled in any suitable manner. As one example, the rod 104 is movable proximally along a distance selectable by the user during each actuation of the endocutter 2. The rod 104 may be actuated to move along that selected distance by the handle 8, which also may be configured to receive user input related to the selected distance. The handle 8 may be configured in any suitable manner to control the longitudinal distance of travel of the rod 104. As one example, the handle 8 may include a stepper motor attached to the rod 104 that translates the rod 104 a selected one of a discrete number of lengths. As another example, the handle 8 may include a mechanical stop that is movable by the user, where the rod 104 stops its proximal motion when it encounters the mechanical stop. That is, the rod 104 may be spring-loaded or biased across a distance at least as long as the longest selectable staple line 146, and the mechanical stop is used to stop travel of the rod 104 at a distance less than the longest selectable staple line 146. Because the distance across which the wedge 74 travels may vary during each actuation and is user selectable, advantageously no blank spaces are present in each feeder belt 16. In addition, the wedge advantageously may be short enough that it completely deforms one staple 18, which is then ejected, before the wedge 74 engages and begins to deform the next most distal staple 18.

[0128] Referring to FIGS. 11-12, 14-17 and 36, as the driver 300 or block 84 moves proximally, it also moves the knife 90, which is connected to the driver 300 or block 84 via the hook 92 or other structure at the proximal end of the knife 90. As the knife 90 moves proximally, it cuts the tissue held between the anvil 32 and the staple holder 30. The knife 90 may cut that tissue while the staples 18 are being deformed and ejected. In the initial position of the knife 90, the blade 108 is located completely within the staple holder 30, such that the blade 108 does not extend out of the staple holder 30. In this way, the blade 108 does not prematurely engage tissue, or pose a hazard to the surgeon. As the knife 90 moves proximally from its initial position, the bottom of the blade 108 of the knife 90 may engage and ride up the ramp 116 at the distal end of the retainer 112. As the blade 108 rides up the ramp 116, at least part of the cutting edge 110 of the blade 108 moves above the top plates 66 of the housing and begins to cut tissue held between the anvil 32 and the staple holder 30. After the blade 108 reaches the top of the ramp 116, it continues to move proximally along the upper surface of the extension 114 as the block 84 continues to pull the knife 90 proximally. Referring also to FIG. 7A, where the anvil 32 includes a slot 210 defined in its inner surface 210, the upper end of the blade 108 may enter and slid along that slot 210 as the knife 90 moves proximally. The slot 210 may provide lateral stability to the blade 108 as it translates proximally. At least part of the blade 108 may slide between the inner walls 68 of the housing as the knife 90 is pulled proximally. Alternately, the blade 108 may be completely above the inner walls 68 of the housing, or may move in a different manner. Alternately, the ramp 116 and the extension 114 may be omitted, and the cutting edge 110 of the blade 108 may be controlled to rise above the top plates 66 of the housing 60 in another manner. Alternately, the blade 108 may be controlled to move substantially only in the longitudinal direction, such that the blade 108 does not substantially move in the vertical direction. Where the knife 90 includes a cam surface 107 on its upper edge, the cam surface 107 may be located proximal to the cam engagement feature 212 in the slot 210, such that the cam surface 107 does not engage the cam engagement feature 212 during proximal motion of the knife 90. Alternately, the can surface 107 of the knife 90 may engage the cam engagement feature 212 during at least part of the proximal motion of the knife 90.

[0129] After the fixed or selected number of staples 18 have been deformed and ejected, motion of the block 84 stops. At this time, the firing trigger 222 may be locked into position by the stop arm 244 of the button 240, by a different part of the button 240, or by a different mechanism. When motion of the block 84 stops, the block 84, wedges 74 and blade 108 are each in a final position. The blade 108 is sized and shaped such that the blade 108 has completely cut through the tissue held between the anvil 32 and the staple holder 30 when the blade 108 is in the final position. In the final position, at least one wedge 74 and/or the blade 108 may be proximal to the corresponding receiving space 70 in the housing 60. Alternately, the wedges 74 and/or blade 108 may remain within the corresponding receiving space 70 in the housing 60 in their final position.

[0130] As another example of actuation of the endocutter 2, the wedge 74 may be initially proximal to the staples 18 in the corresponding row 26, and the wedge 74 is moved distally rather than proximally to deploy one or more staples 18 in that row 26. Such distal motion of the wedge 74 may be caused by, for example, moving the rod 104 in the distal direction. Where the wedge 74 is moved distally to deploy staples 18, the first surface 79 and the second surface 80 of the wedge 74 may be shaped differently in order to deploy the staples 18 properly. Further, the staples 18 may be oriented backward relative to the feeder belt 16, such that the free end 22 of each staple 18 is located distal to the point of attachment between the staple 18 and the feeder belt 16. The other aspects of operation of the staple holder 30 also are performed substantially in reverse order from the order described above, in order to deform the staples 18 and separate them from the feeder belt 16.

[0131] After the fixed or selected number of staples 18 have been deformed and ejected, and the cutting edge 110 of the blade 108 has transected the tissue held between the anvil 32 and the staple holder 30, the end effector 4 is unclamped, releasing the tissue. Referring also to FIG. 29, where that tissue is a blood vessel 148, the blood vessel 148 has been transected into two segments, each of which has staggered rows of staples 18 forming a staple line 146 near an end thereof. Each wedge 74 actuated staples 18 in the corresponding row 26, and as set forth about the staples 18 and the apertures 67 in the top plate 66 of the housing 60 are staggered. By staggering the rows 26 of staples 18 in a staple line 146, hemostasis at the end of the blood vessel 148 is facilitated, because the leak path is longer in length and more convoluted than if the rows 26 of staples 18 were not staggered.

[0132] The end effector 4 may be unclamped in any suitable manner. As one example, referring to FIGS. 7 and 37, the anvil 32 and the staple holder 30 may be biased apart from one another to an open position, such that sliding the overtube 236 proximally unclamps the end effector 4 and allows the anvil 32 and staple holder 30 to open. The overtube 236 itself may be unlocked from the position it maintains while the end effector 4 is in the clamped position in any suitable manner. As one example, referring also to FIG. 38, in order to allow the overtube 236 to slide proximally, the surgeon may depress the finger pad 248 of the button 240. This depression rotates the stop arm 244 of the button 240 upward out of contact with the stop wall 249 of the overtube 236, such that contact between the stop arm 244 and the stop wall 249 no longer restrains the overtube 236 against proximal motion. As described above, the overtube 236 may be biased in the proximal direction, such that movement of the stop arm 244 out of contact with the stop wall 249 of the overtube 236 results in proximal motion of the overtube 236.

[0133] Proximal motion of the overtube 236 may release the anvil 32 and staple holder 30, unclamping the end effector 4. Proximal motion of the overtube 236 may also reset the end effector 4 for another firing, during unclamping of the end effector 4 from the previous firing. By automatically resetting the endocutter 2 for another firing during unclamping from the previous firing, use of the endocutter 2 is simplified, and the surgeon need not undertake, or remember, additional actions to reset the endocutter for another firing. Proximal motion of the overtube 236 may also reset the clamps 161 to their initial, prefiring positions. Referring also to FIGS. 44-45, as the overtube 236 moves proximally, it moves the clamps 161 coupled thereto in the proximal direction as well. Proximal motion of each clamp 161 causes each tab 322 of that clamp 161 to slide downward and proximally into the corresponding slot 324 in the base 62 of the housing 60. Where a tab 322 includes a ramp 328 and the corresponding slot 324 includes a corresponding ramp 327, the ramp 328 of the tab 322 slides down the corresponding ramp 327 of the slot 324, facilitating motion of the clamp 161 in a manner that moves the upper surface of the clamp 161 out of engagement with the corresponding feeder belt 16. The tabs 322 of the clamp 161 then rest in the corresponding slots 324. As the overtube 236 moves proximally, contact between the engagement feature 238 of the overtube 236 and the free end 234 of the clamping trigger 220 rotates the clamping trigger 220 about the axle 218, urging the grip portion 232 of the clamping trigger 220 away from the heel 216 of the housing 214. In this way, the clamping trigger 220 is reset for subsequent clamping of the end effector 4 at a different location.

[0134] Referring also to FIGS. 37-38, the firing trigger 222 may be reset at substantially the same time as the clamping trigger 220. The firing trigger 222 may be released by depression of the finger pad 248 of the button 240, or in any other suitable manner. The firing trigger 222 may be biased outward to its initial position. As another example, motion of the clamping trigger 220 away from the heel 216 of the housing 214 forces the firing trigger 222 outward from the heel 216 as well, or assists in moving the firing trigger 222 away from the heel 216. As the firing trigger 222 moves away from the heel 216 of the housing 214, the tab 262 and teeth 260 located on the head portion 226 of the clamping trigger move partially in the proximal direction. Engagement between the teeth 260 and the first rack 272 of the transmission 270 moves the transmission 270 proximally, thereby causing the second rack 274 of the transmission 270 to rotate the gear 286. Referring also to FIG. 41, the second set of teeth 290 of the gear 286 engage the driver rack 294 and move the driver rack 294 distally. Such distal motion moves the entirety of the driver 300 distally, including the wedges 74. The distal motion continues until the driver 300 is in the initial, prefiring position. As described above, the knife 90 may be fixed to the driver 300. As a result, as the driver 300 moves distally, it urges the knife 90 distally as well. Referring also to FIG. 36, as the knife 90 moves distally, the cam surface 107 of the knife 90 may engage the cam engagement feature 212 within the slot 210 of the anvil 32. Engagement between the angled cam surface 107 and the cam engagement feature 212 acts to move the blade 108 of the knife 90 downward as the knife 90 moves proximally. The blade 108 moves downward into the initial position, completely within the staple holder 30 such that the blade 108 does not extend out of the staple holder, as the knife 90 moves toward its final, distalmost position. Alternately, the knife 90 may be moved back to its initial position in any other suitable manner.

[0135] Referring to FIGS. 8-10 and 14-17, as another example, the handle 8 may be actuated to return the block 84 to its initial position after the end effector 4 has been returned to its open position. Alternately, the block 84 is returned to its initial position when the end effector 4 returns to its open position, or at a different time. The rod 104 may be moved in the proximal direction to return the block 84 to its initial position. Alternately, the block 84 may be returned to its initial position in any other suitable manner. As one example, the block 84 may be biased distally, such that the rod 104 may be released and the block 84 automatically returns to the initial position. As another example, the block 84 may be biased proximally, such that the rod 104 is not affirmatively moved proximally to deploy and eject the staples 18. If so, the rod 104 then may be used to push the block 84 distally to its initial position and hold the block 84 in that initial position. Alternately, the block 84 may be returned to its initial position in any other suitable manner. As the block 84 moves back to its initial position, it moves the wedges 74 and the blade 108 back to their initial positions, reversing the paths traveled by the wedges 74 and blade 108 during actuation of the end effector 4. Alternately, the wedges 74 and/or blade 108 may move in a different manner and/or along a different path to return to their initial positions. Because the staples 18 that would otherwise be in the path of the wedges 74 have been deployed out of the housing 60, the wedges 74 may return to their initial position substantially without interference. Further, because the tissue has been released from the end effector 4, the blade 108 returns to its initial position substantially without contacting tissue.

[0136] At this point, the wedges 74 and blade 108 are in their initial positions. Next, if the feeder belt 16 was restrained against motion during the previous actuation of the end effector 4 by the sliding clamps 160, those sliding clamps are returned to the first position, in which the upper claim 162 does not restrain the feeder belt 16. Such motion may include sliding the upper clamp 162 distally and/or sliding the lower clamp 164 proximally. During the sliding motion, the tongue 168 of the upper clamp 162 slides along the slot 166 of the lower clamp 164. As the upper clamp 162 and/or lower clamp 164 slide, the cam surfaces 170, 172 engage one another to cause the upper surface of the upper clamp 162 to move downward out of contact with the feeder belt 16, to allow the feeder belt 16 to advance. If a different or additional restraint such as a brake or clutch in the handle 8, shaft 6 or end effector 4 was used, that restraint is released.

[0137] As the endocutter 2 the feeder belt 16 are moved in order to advance fresh staples 18 into the housing 60 of the staple holder 30. This motion of the feeder belt 16 may be referred to as “advancing” the feeder belt 16, regardless of the fact that some or all of the feeder belt 16 may be moved in a direction other than distally during that advancing. Advancing the feeder belt 16 may be accomplished in any manner. Each feeder belt 16 may be routed around a corresponding pulley 180 or nose 50, along a path that starts generally straight and in the distal direction, then is curved along the surface of the corresponding pulley 180 or nose 50, and then is generally straight and in the proximal direction, such that the pulley 180 or nose 50 changes the direction of motion of the corresponding feeder belt 16 from generally distal to generally proximal. As a result, referring also to FIG. 35, each continuous feeder belt 16 may include an upper section 366 and a lower section 368 substantially parallel to the upper section 366. The distal end of the top plate 340 may be fixed to the proximal end of the upper section 366 of a feeder belt 16, and the distal end of the bottom plate 360 may be fixed to the proximal end of the lower section 368 of the feeder belt 16. Referring also to FIGS. 46-47, the top plate rack 346 and the bottom plate rack 362 each engage one or more spur gears 350, as described above. Referring also to FIG. 42, as the driver 300 moves distally during the reset process, as described above, the pawl 314 of the driver 300 moves distally as well. As the pawl 314 moves distally, the stop 316 of the pawl 314 engages a face 344 of a corresponding ratchet ramp 342 of the top plate 340. As a result, continued distal motion of the pawl 314 urges that face 344 distally, thereby urging the top plate 340 distally. This distal motion of the top plate 340 causes the top plate rack 346 to rotate the corresponding spur gear or gears 350, which in turn causes the bottom plate rack 362 and hence the bottom plate 360 to move distally. Such distal motion of the bottom plate 360 pulls the lower section 368 of the feeder belt 16 proximally. As the lower section 368 of the feeder belt 16 moves proximally, the feeder belt 16 is pulled around the corresponding pulley 180 or nose 50. The use of the pulley 180 may reduce friction and thereby may reduce the amount of force needed to pull the feeder belt 16 as compared to the use of the nose 50. As the lower section 368 of the feeder belt 16 moves proximally, the upper section 366 of the feeder belt thereby moves distally, moving a fresh, unfired set of staples 18 into the housing 60. Each feeder belt 16 is thus reset for another firing of the end effector 4. Further, each feeder belt 16 is thus automatically reset upon unclamping of the end effector 4.

[0138] As another example, referring also to FIG. 25, one or more openings 132 in the feeder belt 16 are engaged by one or more gears, pins or other mechanisms, such that engagement with the openings 132 is used to advance the feeder belt 16. As another example, any other suitable mechanism, structure or method may be used to move the feeder belt 16 in order to advance fresh, undeployed staples 18 into the housing 60. Where the feeder belt 16 is movable generally linearly, and the nose 50 is not utilized, the housing 60 may be longer, and the feeder belt 16 is simply advanced or retracted generally linearly in order to advance fresh staples 18 into the housing 60.

[0139] The feeder belt 16 may be advanced with or without feedback. As an example of advancing the feeder belt 16 without feedback, a stepper motor or other mechanism may be used to advance the feeder belt 16 a fixed distance each time. Where feedback is provided, the feeder belt 16 is advanced a distance that is related to the feedback; that distance may not be fixed every time. As one example, a pinwheel (not shown) may be configured to engage the openings 132 in the feeder belt 16 with pins, such that motion of the feeder belt 16 causes the pinwheel to rotate. Such rotation of the pinwheel may produce mechanical or electrical feedback that is transmitted mechanically or electrically to the handle 8, such that advancement of the feeder belt 16 continues until the pinwheel has rotated a particular amount. In this way, the pinwheel provides confirmation that the feeder belt 16 has in fact advance to a position in which unfired staples 18 are in position in the housing 60 at locations corresponding to the apertures 67 in the top plates 66 of the housing 60. As another example of feedback, an optical sensor or sensors (not shown) may be positioned in the end effector 4 to sense the openings 132, such that the optical sensor or sensors can determine the degree of advancement of the feeder belt 16. As another example, any other suitable mechanism may be used to generate feedback and to transmit that feedback in mechanically, electrically and/or as data to a suitable controller, which may be located in the handle 8 or in any other portion of the endocutter. The controller may be a cam, an integrated circuit, a microprocessor, an analog circuit or circuits, a digital circuit or circuits, a mechanical computer, or any other suitable controller

[0140] Next, the endocutter 2 may be fired again substantially as described above. Referring to FIGS. 42 and 46-47, upon refiring the endocutter 2, the driver 300 moves proximally, thereby moving the pawl 314 proximally. The pawl 314 moves proximally relative to a ratchet ramp 342 of the top plate 340, thereby gradually flexing the pawl 314 downward away from the top plate 340. The pawl 314 then moves proximal to the face 344 at the proximal end of that ratchet ramp 342 and springs back upward, such that the stop 316 is proximal to the face 344. In this way, the stop 316 of the pawl 314 is prevented from moving distally past the face 344 without moving the face 344 to ratchet the top plate 340, as described above. The endocutter 2 may be fired again without removing the end effector 4 from the patient, changing a cartridge or other disposable staple holder, or reloading the end effector 4 from outside the endocutter 2. In this way, the end effector 4 may be actuated multiple times without removing the end effector 4 through the trocar port 10 or other incision, structure or mechanism that allows access to the interior of the body of the patient. Keeping the end effector 4 within the body of the patient without withdrawing that end effector 4 through the trocar port 10 or other incision, structure or mechanism that allows access to the interior of the body of the patient may be referred to as maintaining the end effector within the body of the patient. An indicator may be provided in the handle 8 or at another location in the endocutter 2 that shows how many unfired staples 18 remain in the endocutter 2. The endocutter 2 may be actuated multiple times within the patient, without being removed from the patient, until the staples 18 in the endocutter 2 are exhausted. At such time, the end effector 4 optionally may be locked out in any suitable manner, such as by preventing clamping of tissue, or preventing actuation of the firing trigger 222.

[0141] Actuation of the endocutter 2 above has been generally described in terms of deployment and ejection of a single row 26 of staples 18 for clarity, where that deployment and ejection may be performed in substantially the same manner along each row 26 of staples 18. Operation of the endocutter 2 may be substantially as described above with regard to any number of rows 26 of staples 18 on a feeder belt 16. That is, an endocutter 2 having two rows 26 of staples 18 on a feeder belt 16, or more than three rows of staples 18 on a feeder belt 16, may be actuated substantially as described above.

[0142] Driverless Endocutter and Operation

[0143] Optionally, referring to FIGS. 12, 13 and 28, the wedges 74 may be fixed in place relative to the staple holder 30. For example, the wedges 74 may simply be molded, cut, formed or otherwise fabricated as part of the feeder belt guide 40 or other component of the end effector 4. As each feeder belt 16 is advanced, the most distal unformed staple 18 in each row 26 contacts the stationary wedge 74. The feeder belt 16 then does not stop, but continues to move. As the feeder belt 16 continues to advance, the relative motion between the feeder belt 16 and the stationary wedge 74 causes the staple 18 to deform and then separate from the feeder belt 16, in substantially the same manner as described above with regard to motion of the wedge 74 relative to the substantially stationary feeder belt 16. Where the wedges 74 are stationary, the end effector 4 does not apply a row of staples 18 longitudinally along a staple line. Instead, the end effector 4 sequentially deploys the distalmost staple 18 in each row 26 as the feeder belt 16 pulls that staple 18 onto the corresponding wedge 74.

[0144] Alternately, for a single-use device, a number of wedges 74 equal to the number of staples 18 to be deployed are fabricated as part of the end effector 4, and are each located immediately proximal or distal to the corresponding staple 18. As the feeder belt 16 is moved longitudinally, each staple 18 contacts the corresponding fixed wedge 74, deforms to a closed configuration, and then separates from the feeder belt 16. In this way, two or more staples 18 can be deployed along a staple line at the same time, without the use of wedge assemblies 72. Optionally, the wedges 74 may be movable downward or in another direction from a first position after deploying the staples 18, such that a feeder belt 16 can be advanced to place new, undeployed staples 18 in position for firing, after which the wedges 74 may be moved back to their first position.

[0145] Other Surgical Tools Utilizing Feeder Belt

[0146] As described above, the feeder belt 16 and attached staples 18 of FIGS. 4-6, 18-20, 25-27, and 30-33 may be used in the end effector 4 of an endocutter 2. However, the feeder belt 16 and attached staples 18 may be used in any suitable surgical tool, for human or veterinary use. As one example, the feeder belt 16 and attached staples 18 may be used in an anastomosis tool, such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/054,265, filed on Feb. 9, 2005 (the “'265 application”), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, the feeder belt 16, attached staples 18, and any other suitable part of the mechanism described above may be placed in each arm 402 of the staple holder 38 of the '265 application in lieu of the sled 482, staples 464, connector bays 448, connector deployers 452, and/or other structures and/or mechanisms described in the '265 application as being present in the arm 402. As a result, the anastomosis tool of the '265 application may be actuated multiple times. Further, the arms 402 of the staple holder 38 of the '265 application may be made smaller due to the smaller size of the staples 18 and the reduced amount of space required to hold the feeder belt 16, allowing for the anastomosis of smaller vessels to one another, and allowing the staple holder 38 to access areas of the body that a larger staple holder could not. As another example, the feeder belt 16 and attached staples 18 may be used in an end-to-end anastomosis stapler, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,675 (the “'675 patent”), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, the feeder belt 16 and attached staples 18 may be placed in each arm 22, 24 of the anastomosis tool 30, in lieu of any or all of the mechanisms and/or structures described in the '675 patent as being present in the arms 22, 24. As a result, the anastomosis tool 30 may be made smaller, facilitating the end-to-end connection of a greater range of vessels, thereby further facilitating the performance of microsurgery. The anastomosis tool 30 may be placed adjacent to the vessels to be connected, such as blood vessels, and actuated as described in the '675 patent, where the deployment of staples 18 may be performed substantially as described above.

[0147] As another example, the feeder belt 16 and attached staples 18 may be used in an intravascular stapler, such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/158,413 (the “'413 application”), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, the feeder belt 16, attached staples 18, and any other suitable part of the mechanism described above may be placed in the housing 14 of the stapler head 8 in lieu of any or all of the mechanisms and/or structures described in the '413 application as being present in the housing 14 of the stapler head 8. As a result, the stapler head 8 of the '413 application may be made smaller, facilitating intravascular access to a greater range of blood vessels. The stapler head 8 may be placed adjacent to vascular tissue, and actuated as described in the '413 application, where the deployment of staples 18 may be performed substantially as described above.

[0148] As another example, the feeder belt 16 and attached staples 18 may be used in a bariatric or gastrointestinal stapler, such as used in a gastric bypass procedure or other procedures performed on the digestive system. The stapler may be placed adjacent to gastrointestinal tissue, such as the stomach, the small intestine or the large intestine, and the deployment of staples 18 may be performed substantially as described above.

[0149] The feeder belt 16 and attached staples 18 may be used in any suitable surgical tool, regardless of whether that tool includes a knife 90 or other structure, mechanism or method for incising or cutting tissue. As one example, the feeder belt 16 and attached staples 18 may be used in a skin stapler for closing a pre-existing wound or incision. The skin stapler may be placed adjacent to the skin, and the deployment of staples 18 may be performed substantially as described above.

[0150] Deployment of Different Size Staples

[0151] As set forth above, the staple line to be created with the end effector 4 may be fixed at a particular number of staples 18, and consequently the staples 18 in each row may be grouped together in groups each having a length substantially the same as that fixed staple line. If so, each group of staples 18 in a row 26 may be separated from a adjacent group of staples 18 by a blank space on the feeder belt 16, where that blank space may have any suitable length. Of course, the groups of staples 18 need not be separated by blank space.

[0152] The staples 18 in each group may have a different size than staples 18 in one or more other groups. For example, the feeder belt 16 may include a first group of staples 18, then a second group of staples 18 smaller than those of the first group, then a third group of staples 18 substantially the same size as the staples 18 in the first group. Such a feeder belt 16 may be useful in, for example, roux-en-y surgery or sleeve gastrectomy, where current procedure requires surgeons to use a stapler with a cartridge that holds larger staples for the first firing, where the edge of the stomach bunches up, then reload the stapler with a different cartridge that holds smaller staples for the second firing, where only two layers of stomach are stapled, then reload the stapler with a different cartridge that holds larger staplers to staple the fundus, which is a thicker portion of the stomach. Indeed, the particular sequential grouping of staples 18 of different sizes on feeder belts 16 in the endocutter 2 is contemplated to be surgery-specific, where a particular procedure (such as the roux-en-y or sleeve gastrectomy described above) is well known, and the endocutter 2 can be made specific to that surgery. In this way, groups of staples 18 of different sizes may be deployed without user input as to the size of staples 18 to be deployed.

[0153] Where the feeder belt 16 is configured to deploy staples 18 having different sizes, the apertures 67 in each top plate 66 may be sized to admit the largest of the staples 18 held by the corresponding feeder belt 16. Alternately, the apertures 67 along each row may be replaced by a slot substantially as long as the collected apertures 67 in that row would have been. The staple forming pockets 204 are shaped and located on the surface of the anvil 32 oriented generally toward the staple holder 30 such that they are able to satisfactorily bend staples 18 of all sizes held on the corresponding feeder belt 16.

[0154] Alternately, a plurality of feeder belts 16 may be located on either side of the between the inner walls 68 of the housing 60, or otherwise located on either side of the knife 90. At least one feeder belt 16 on each side of the knife 90 may include a plurality of the same size staple 18, where at least one other feeder belt 16 on the same side of the knife 90 may include a plurality of staples 18 having a different size. For example, eight feeder belts 16 may be provided, four on either side of the knife 90, where two feeder belts 16 on each side of the knife 90 may include one size of staple 18 and the other two feeder belts 16 on the same side of the knife 90 may include a different size of staple 18. Such belts may be arranged laterally relative to one another in any suitable manner. As one example, they may be arranged alternately relative to one another; as another example, they may be arranged two by two, with the two feeder belts 16 with larger staples 18 grouped together either laterally inboard from or outboard from the two feeder belts 16 with smaller staples 18. As another example, four feeder belts 16 may be provided, two on either side of the knife 90, where each feeder belts 16 on each side of the knife 90 includes a different size of staple 18. Each set of feeder belts 16 may be independently actuated, such that after feeder belts 16 deploy staples 18 of a particular size, only those feeder belts 16 are advanced, and the feeder belts 16 holding staples 18 of a different size remain in place.

[0155] Alternately, the handle 8 may be motorized and computer controlled. Each feeder belt 16 may then include a number of different sizes of staples 18. The surgeon may select a size of staple 18, and the motorized handle 8 may then advance or retract the feeder belts 16 until a set of staples 18 matching the selected size are in firing position. If staples 18 matching the selected size are no longer available, the handle 8 may so indicate to the surgeon.

[0156] While the invention has been described in detail, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made and equivalents employed, without departing from the present invention. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction, the arrangements of components, and/or the method set forth in the above description or illustrated in the drawings. Statements in the abstract of this document, and any summary statements in this document, are merely exemplary; they are not, and cannot be interpreted as, limiting the scope of the claims. Further, the figures are merely exemplary and not limiting. Topical headings and subheadings are for the convenience of the reader only. They should not and cannot be construed to have any substantive significance, meaning or interpretation, and should not and cannot be deemed to indicate that all of the information relating to any particular topic is to be found under or limited to any particular heading or subheading. Therefore, the invention is not to be restricted or limited except in accordance with the following claims and their legal equivalents.