Patent · US Expired

Surgical device and method

US7287682B1 · kind B1 · utility

2,010Cited by
4References
34Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 13, 2003
Grant dateOct 30, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 8, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2017/320052
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A surgical device 20 for attaching staples 40 to a portion of a body comprising an anvil 23; a smart memory material (SMM) 50, 75 capable of going from one physical state to another physical state; a supply of staples in communication with the smart memory material and placed near the anvil; and an activating apparatus 21 which is in communication with the smart memory material and which can cause the change in the physical state of the smart memory material, which change in state causes the movement of the staples against the anvil thereby securing the staples 40 to the desired body portion. The device utilizes a source of electricity which when activated causes the SMM to expand in volume thereby moving an individual staple from the supply of staples. The device may also contain a surgical knife 62 to cut a body portion wherein a SMM is in communication with the knife whereby when the SMM expands it engages the knife causing the knife to cut the desired body portion.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.