Surgical Stapler with Direct Sled to Staple Contact

Abstract

An exemplary surgical stapler may include a staple holder, staples positioned within the staple holder, and at least one structure slidable within the staple holder to contact directly at least one staple, where that direct contact deploys at least one staple from the staple holder. Another exemplary surgical stapler may include a staple holder, an anvil movably connected to the staple holder, staples positioned within the staple holder; and a sled slidable within the staple holder to contact directly at least one staple, where that direct contact urges at least one staple out of the staple holder and against the anvil.

1 . A surgical stapler, comprising:
 a staple holder;   a plurality of staples positioned within said staple holder; and   at least one structure slidable within said staple holder to contact directly at least one said staple, wherein said direct contact deploys said at least one said staple from said staple holder.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical stapler of  claim 1 , wherein said staple holder includes two arms spaced apart from one another; further comprising at least two staples, wherein each said arm holds at least one said staple. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical stapler of  claim 1 , further comprising a shaft connected to said staple holder, and a handle connected to said shaft; wherein said staple holder is orientable in a plurality of orientations relative to said shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical stapler of  claim 1 , further comprising a shaft connected to said staple holder, and a handle connected to said shaft; wherein at least a portion of said shaft is flexible. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical stapler of  claim 1 , wherein at least a subset of said staples are arranged in a substantially linear row. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical stapler of  claim 1 , wherein said structure is a ramp element having a curved surface, wherein said curved surface directly contacts at least one said staple when said ramp element slides within said staple holder. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical stapler of  claim 1 , wherein said structure is slidable in a single motion to deploy a plurality of said staples. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical stapler of  claim 1 , further comprising a sled, wherein at least one said structure is a portion of said sled. 
     
     
         9 . A surgical stapler, comprising:
 a staple holder;   an anvil movably connected to said staple holder;   a plurality of staples positioned within said staple holder; and   a sled slidable within said staple holder to contact directly at least one said staple, wherein said direct contact urges at least one said staple out of said staple holder and against said anvil.   
     
     
         10 . The surgical stapler of  claim 9 , wherein said sled comprises at least one ramp element, wherein said sled contacts directly at least one said staple by direct contact between at least one said staple and at least one said ramp element. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical stapler of  claim 10 , wherein at least part of at least one said ramp element is curved. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical stapler of  claim 10 , wherein said sled includes at least two said ramp elements laterally spaced from one another. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical stapler of  claim 10 , wherein said sled includes at least two said ramp elements each having a longitudinal centerline, wherein said longitudinal centerlines are substantially parallel to one another. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical stapler of  claim 9 , wherein said sled is slidable in a single motion to urge a plurality of said staples out of said staple holder and against said anvil. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical stapler of  claim 9 , wherein said sled is slidable in a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical stapler of  claim 9 , wherein said sled is slidable distally to contact directly at least one said staple. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical stapler of  claim 9 , further comprising a shaft connected to said staple holder, and a handle connected to said shaft; wherein said staple holder is orientable in a plurality of orientations relative to said shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical stapler of  claim 9 , further comprising a shaft connected to said staple holder, and a handle connected to said shaft; wherein at least a portion of said shaft is flexible.