US 7,462,185 B1
Intravascular stapling tool
Bryan D. Knodel, Flagstaff, Ariz. (US)
Assigned to Cardican Inc., Redwood City, Calif. (US)
Filed on Dec. 23, 2004, as Appl. No. 11/22,551.
Int. Cl. A61B 17/10 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 606—139  [227/175.1] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for stapling tissue in an animal body having a vasculature composed of tissue, comprising:
providing an intravascular stapling tool including a stapler head connected to a catheter, wherein said stapler head includes at least a first holder and a second holder, each said holder including two columns between which a staple is held, said staple including a plurality of tines, and wherein each column includes on an inner surface thereof a ramp element curved inward toward the bottom of said column, each said ramp element terminating in a foot, wherein said holders are oriented generally parallel to one another;
creating an incision in a peripheral vessel;
inserting the stapler head through said incision;
utilizing said catheter to advance said stapler head along the vasculature; and
urging one said staple to exit the corresponding said first holder, said first holder located in a deployment position, such that said tines of said staple deform inward as a result of contact between the distal ends of said tines against corresponding said ramp elements and feet;
indexing said holders substantially linearly such that said first holder moves out of said deployment position and said second holder moved into said deployment position; and
then urging one said staple out of said second holder, such that said tines of said staple deform inward as a result of contact between the distal ends of said tines against corresponding said ramp elements and feet.