Shape-memory surgical staple apparatus and method for use in surgical suturing
US4485816A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 1981 |
| Grant date | Dec 4, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S411/909
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The staples are made of a material having the intrinsic property of shape memory, such that heating the material above a certain temperature known as the transition temperature causes any deformation introduced at temperatures below the transition temperature to be reversed, and the staple recovers fully to its shape prior to the deformation. By forming the staple into any desired closed position at a temperature above the transition temperature and then cooling the staple below the transition temperature before deforming it into an open position, the resulting staple will revert to its closed position when it is subsequently reheated above the transition temperature. Consequently, the staple can be used for surgical suturing by merely positioning it in contact with the tissues to be sutured and heating it sufficiently to cause it to penetrate and clinch the tissues together. A low-cost, lightweight surgical staple applicator utilizes a battery for heating the staples to produce closure, and is sterilizable by gamma radiation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.