Surgical stapler with angled feeder belts

Abstract

An exemplary surgical stapler may include a staple holder, including an upper surface with two substantially-planar angled surfaces positioned lateral to and angled relative to each other. The staple holder may include staple channels within it, and each staple channel may open to a corresponding angled surface. The stapler may also include at least one feeder belt extending into the staple holder and staples frangibly affixed to the feeder belt. Generally, at least one staple is held within a corresponding staple channel of the staple holder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical stapler, comprising:
 a staple holder including an upper surface, said upper surface comprising two substantially planar angled surfaces;   a plurality of staple channels within said staple holder, wherein each of said staple channel opens to one of said angled surfaces; and   a feeder belt comprises a loop extending into said staple holder,   wherein a plurality of staples frangibly affixed to said feeder belt,   wherein at least one of said staple is positioned within one of said staple channels.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical stapler of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of staple channels lie in a first plane and at least another one of said plurality of staple channels lie in a second plane. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical stapler of  claim 2 , wherein the first plane intersects with the second plane. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical stapler of  claim 1 , wherein a substantially planar surface is deposed between said two substantially planar angled surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . A surgical stapler, comprising:
 a staple holder including an upper surface, said upper surface comprising two substantially planar angled surfaces;   a plurality of staple bays within said staple holder, wherein each of said staple bay opens to one of said angled surfaces; and   a feeder belt comprises a bend extending into said staple holder,   wherein a plurality of staples frangibly affixed to said feeder belt,   wherein at least one of said staple is positioned within one of said staple bays.