Variable Compression Surgical Fastener Cartridge

Abstract

A surgical fastener applying apparatus having a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a cartridge body having plurality of surgical fasteners disposed therein. The plurality of surgical fasteners include a plurality of first surgical fasteners having a first backspan with a first configuration, and a plurality of second surgical fasteners having a second backspan with a second, different configuration such that the plurality of first surgical fasteners apply a first compressive force to tissue upon formation and the plurality of second surgical fasteners apply a second, different compressive force to tissue upon formation.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A surgical fastener for use in a medical procedure, the surgical fastener comprising:
 a backspan defining a longitudinal axis and having a first end and a second end, the backspan including a linear portion and at least one curved portion extending away from the longitudinal axis; and   a first leg extending from the first end of the backspan and a second leg extending from the second end of the backspan, the first and second legs each terminating in a penetrating end configured to pass through tissue.   
     
     
         22 . The surgical fastener of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second legs are deformable from a first condition in which the first and second legs are substantial linear to a second condition in which the first and second legs curve radially inward. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical fastener of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one curved portion extends towards the penetrating ends when the first and second legs are in the first condition. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical fastener of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one curved portion includes a first curved portion and a second curved portion. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical fastener of  claim 24 , wherein the first curved portion is mirror image of the second curved portion. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical fastener of  claim 24 , wherein the first and second curved portions extend towards the penetrating ends when the surgical fastener is in the first condition. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical fastener of  claim 24 , wherein the penetrating ends are received between the first and second curved portions when the surgical fastener is in the second condition. 
     
     
         28 . A surgical fastener for use in a medical procedure, the surgical fastener comprising:
 a backspan including first and second non-linear portions each forming a recess and a linear portion connecting the pair of non-linear portions; and   first and second legs extending from the backspan, each of the first and second legs terminating in a penetrating end configured to pass through tissue.   
     
     
         29 . The surgical fastener of  claim 28 , wherein the first and second non-linear portions are curved. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical fastener of  claim 28 , wherein the first and second legs are movable between a first condition in which the first and second legs are substantially linear to a second condition in which the first and second legs are curved. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical fastener of  claim 30 , wherein the first and second non-linear portions extends towards the penetrating ends when the first and second legs are in the first condition. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical fastener of  claim 28 , wherein the first non-linear portion is a mirror image of the second non-linear portion. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical fastener of  claim 30 , wherein the penetrating ends are received between the first and second non-linear portions when the surgical fastener is in the second condition.