阅读说明：本技术 用于外科钉盒的楔块组件 (Wedge assembly for surgical staple cartridge ) 是由 克里斯托弗·J·伊 于 2018-06-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种示例性外科设备,其包括：盒；保持在所述盒内的钉条；附至所述钉条的钉,其中,每个钉在单个接头处附至所述钉条,并且其中,每个钉条上的所述钉布置成纵向延伸的排,并且相邻排中的所述钉是相对于彼此交错的；以及包括多个楔块的楔块组件,所述多个楔块彼此在侧向上间隔开,其中,每个楔块包括位于其上表面上的剪切凸起,其中,所述剪切凸起中的每个剪切凸起基本上具有第一长度；并且其中,所述楔块的所述剪切凸起在等于所述第一长度的距离内彼此在纵向上对准；其中,所述楔块组件能够相对于所述钉滑动,以使至少一个楔块与所述钉中的至少一个钉直接接触,进而使所述至少一个钉围绕所述接头旋转,然后在所述钉中的至少一个钉与所述楔块的所述剪切凸起之间接触时使所述钉中的所述至少一个钉从所述接头与所述钉条断开。(An exemplary surgical apparatus, comprising: a cartridge; a strip of staples retained within said cartridge; staples attached to said strips, wherein each staple is attached to said strip at a single joint, and wherein said staples on each strip are arranged in longitudinally extending rows, and said staples in adjacent rows are staggered with respect to each other; and a wedge assembly comprising a plurality of wedges spaced laterally from one another, wherein each wedge comprises shear projections on an upper surface thereof, wherein each of the shear projections substantially has a first length; and wherein the shear projections of the wedge are longitudinally aligned with one another over a distance equal to the first length; wherein the wedge assembly is slidable relative to the staples to bring at least one wedge into direct contact with at least one of the staples to rotate the at least one staple about the joint and then disconnect the at least one of the staples from the joint and the strip of staples upon contact between the at least one of the staples and the shear protrusions of the wedge.)

1. A surgical apparatus, comprising:

a cartridge;

a strip of staples retained within said cartridge;

a plurality of staples attached to said strip, wherein each said staple is attached to said strip at a single joint, and wherein said staples on each strip are arranged in longitudinally extending rows and said staples in adjacent said rows are staggered with respect to each other; and

a wedge assembly comprising a plurality of wedges spaced laterally from one another, each wedge comprising a shear protrusion on an upper surface thereof and a longitudinally extending land on the upper surface, the lands being distal from the corresponding shear protrusion, wherein at least one of the lands is longer than the remaining lands;

wherein the wedge assembly is slidable relative to the staples to bring at least one of the wedges into direct contact with at least one of the staples to rotate the at least one of the staples about the joint and then disconnect the at least one of the staples from the joint and the strip of staples upon contact between the at least one of the staples and the shear protrusions of the wedge.

2. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wedges are inclined such that the shear projections on the outermost two of the wedges are spaced apart a distance greater than a distance between lower edges of the outermost two of the wedges.

3. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an end effector comprising an anvil and a channel, wherein the cartridge is removably receivable in the channel.

4. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shear protrusions on the wedge are longitudinally aligned with each other within a distance less than the first length.

5. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of staples are arranged in four longitudinally extending rows.

6. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of staples are arranged in six longitudinally extending rows.

7. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform of the outermost wedge is longer than the platforms of the other wedges.

8. The surgical apparatus of claim 7, wherein the length of the platforms of the outermost wedges are substantially the same as each other.

9. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the shear bumps is positioned at a proximal end of an upper surface of at least one of the wedges.

10. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein each shear protrusion comprises a ramp that slopes upward in a proximal direction, and a protrusion deck proximal to the ramp, wherein the protrusion deck lies in a plane that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the wedge assembly.

11. A method for surgical stapling, the method comprising:

provided with a surgical stapler comprising: a staple holder; a plurality of staples positioned within said staple holder, said plurality of staples arranged in a plurality of rows; a strip of staples, each staple of the plurality of staples secured to the strip of staples; and at least one wedge assembly, wherein the wedge assembly comprises a plurality of wedges spaced laterally from one another, each wedge comprising a shear protrusion on an upper surface thereof and a longitudinally extending land on the upper surface, the land being distal to the corresponding shear protrusion, wherein at least one of the lands is longer than the remaining lands; and

moving the wedge assembly relative to the nail, wherein the moving comprises:

directly contacting a first set of said wedges with a first set of said staples in a first set of adjacent rows to form said first set of said staples and then disconnecting said first set of said staples from said strip, said first set of said staples having a number less than the number of said rows, and then disconnecting said first set of said staples from said strip

Directly contacting a second set of said wedges with a second set of said staples in a different second set of said side rows to form said second set of said staples, and then breaking said second set of staples from said strip of staples after said first set of said staples;

wherein the number of staples in the first group and the number of staples in the second group is equal to the number of rows.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

continuing the movement; and

repeating said step of bringing said first set of said wedges into direct contact against said first set of said staples and said step of bringing said second set of said wedges into direct contact against said second set of said staples until deployment of said staples is complete.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first group of the rows is an inner row and the second group of the rows is an outer row.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first group of the rows is an outer row and the second group of the rows is an inner row.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein,

said step of directly contacting said first set of said wedges with a first set of said staples in a first set of an adjacent row to form said first set of said staples causes said first set of said staples to bend at a first angle;

said step of directly contacting said second set of said wedges with a second set of said staples in a different second set of said side rows to form said second set of said staples causes said second set of said staples to bend through a second angle; and

the first angle is different from the second angle.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein,

the first group of the rows is an inner row and the second group of the rows is an outer row; and

the second angle is greater than the first angle.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein,

said step of directly contacting said first set of said wedges with a first set of said staples in a first set of an abutting row to shape said first set of said staples applies a first force to each said staple in said first set;

said step of directly contacting said second set of said wedges with a second set of said staples in a different second set of said depending rows to form said second set of said staples applies a second force to each said staple in said second set; and

the first force is different from the second force.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein,

the first group of the rows is an inner row and the second group of the rows is an outer row; and

the second force is greater than the first force.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first and second portions are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein the lands of the second set of the wedges are longer than the lands of the first set of the wedges; and is

Wherein the step of bringing the lands of the second set of the wedges directly against the second set of the nails is performed for a longer duration than the step of bringing the lands of the first set of the wedges directly against the first set of the nails.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the first set of the wedges comprises a left side inner wedge and a right side inner wedge and the second set of the wedges comprises a left side outer wedge and a right side outer wedge.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to surgical staplers (surgical staplers) and surgical staples.

Background

Surgical staplers not only staple but also cut tissue to transect the tissue while stopping bleeding at the cutting end. A typical surgical stapler houses a disposable, single-use cartridge at its distal end and includes an anvil opposite the cartridge, which has several rows of staples.

Surgical staplers are typically configured to receive a surgical staple cartridge such that one tool may be used with multiple cartridges during a surgical procedure. Conventional surgical staplers utilize a magazine having six longitudinal rows of staples, three on each side of the knife. In addition, conventional surgical staple cartridges place staple drivers between each staple and the wedge; the wedge moves longitudinally and in turn contacts a staple driver which converts the longitudinal movement of the wedge into a corresponding movement of the staple in a second, vertical direction toward the anvil. The surgical stapler cartridge manufactured by Dextera Surgery, inc. of redwood, california, instead uses four longitudinal rows of staples, two on each side of the knife. Such surgical stapler cartridges also do not use staple drivers; alternatively, the wedge block sequentially contacts the staples, which are frangibly attached to the strip, rotates each staple about its point of attachment to the strip to close the staples, and shears each staple from the strip, such as described in commonly assigned U.S. patent No.7,988,026, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The staples in the magazine are typically arranged in staggered rows relative to each other. This staggered arrangement promotes hemostasis in the treated tissue by closing the straight channels through which blood may flow between the closed staples. During actuation, one staple in each row is typically formed simultaneously during longitudinal travel of the wedge. However, by simultaneously forming one staple in each row, the force required to deploy each of the staples is combined. In conventional manual, non-powered surgical staplers, a large force input by the user is required to translate the wedge and actuate the stapler. As the force required for a particular tool increases, the number of users that can actuate the tool decreases.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary wedge assembly.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary surgical staple cartridge with the wedge assembly of FIG. 1 in an initial pre-deployment position.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of FIG. 2 showing the wedge assembly of FIG. 1 spaced apart from and aligned with a surgical staple cartridge.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 2 with a cover of the surgical staple cartridge removed.

FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed view of the proximal end of the exemplary surgical staple cartridge illustrated in FIG. 2.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Structure of the product

Referring to FIG. 1, a wedge assembly 2 is shown. The wedge assembly 2 comprises at least one wedge 4. As shown in fig. 1, the wedge assembly 2 comprises four wedges 4a, 4b, 4c, 4 d. The wedge assembly 2 may comprise fewer or more wedges 4. The number of wedges 4 corresponds to the number of rows of staples to be deployed, as described in more detail below. For clarity, the wedges 4 of the embodiment of the wedge assembly 2 shown in fig. 1 may be represented as a right side outer wedge 4a, a right side inner wedge 4b, a left side inner wedge 4c, and a left side outer wedge 4 d. The inner wedges 4b, 4c are laterally closer to the longitudinal centre line of the wedge assembly 2 than the outer wedges 4a, 4 d. For clarity, the left and right directions are shown in fig. 1. Here, the directions of the left and right sides are selected to correspond to the left and right sides perceived by the user. Similarly, the proximal and distal directions are shown in fig. 1 as conventionally understood in the art.

Each wedge 4 may include an upper surface 6, the upper surface 6 including a nose 8, a land 10, and a shear protrusion 12. The shape of the surface 6 is related to the deployment of the nail, as described in more detail below. The nose 8 may be curved upwards in the distal direction and may be substantially convex. Alternatively, the nose 8 may be curved or shaped in any other suitable manner. Distal to the nose 8, the platform 10 may be substantially planar and substantially flat. The platform 10 may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the wedge assembly 2. As shown in fig. 1, the platform 10 of the outermost wedges 4 (here, the right side outer wedge 4a and the left side outer wedge 4d) may be longer than the platform 10 of the inner wedges 4b, 4 c. As described in more detail below, the difference in length between the platform 10 of the outermost wedges 4a, 4d and the remaining wedges 4b, 4c results in a greater force being applied to the staples 42 in the outer row than to the staples 42 in the inner row, and also results in the staples 42 in the outer row being deployed at a different time than the staples 42 in the inner row.

On the proximal side of the platform 10, the shear protrusions 12 are higher than the platform 10. The shear projections 12 may be positioned at the proximal end of the upper surface 6 of the corresponding wedge 4. Alternatively, the shear protrusions 12 may be distally spaced from the proximal end of the corresponding wedge 4. The shear projections 12 may include a ramp 14 extending upwardly in a proximal direction from the platform 10. The ramp 14 may be substantially planar or may be curved or shaped in any other suitable manner. Proximal to the ramp 14, the shear boss 12 may include a boss platform 16, and the boss platform 16 may be substantially planar and substantially flat. In some embodiments, the raised platform 16 may be substantially parallel to the platform 10, and thus to the longitudinal axis of the wedge assembly 2.

The wedges 4 are laterally spaced from each other. The wedges 4 may be inclined relative to the longitudinal centre line of the wedge assembly 2 such that the shear lugs on the outermost wedges 4 (here the right and left side wedges 4a, 4d) are spaced laterally a greater distance than the distance between the lower edges 18 of the outermost wedges 4. Referring also to fig. 2, the angle between the wedge 4 and the longitudinal centerline of the wedge assembly 2 may be selected such that the raised platform 16 of each wedge 4 is substantially parallel to the upper surface 32 of the cassette 30 through which the wedge 4 can slide.

In some embodiments, each of the shear bumps 12 has substantially the same length. As used herein, the term "length" refers to a measure along a longitudinal axis (i.e., an axis along which the proximal and distal directions are defined). Accordingly, each raised platform 16 may have substantially the same length. Referring to fig. 1, the shear protrusions 12 may be longitudinally aligned with each other within a distance equal to the length of one shear protrusion 12. That is, each of the shear protrusions 12 is positioned at a position less than or equal to the positions of the other shear protrusions 12 in the longitudinal direction. Any reference point on the shear bumps 12 may be used to measure this alignment, as long as each shear bump 12 uses the same reference point (e.g., the proximal end of the protrusion platform 16). According to some embodiments, the shear bumps 12 may be more closely aligned within a selected length that is less than the length of one shear bump 12. According to other embodiments, at least one shear lobe 12 has a different length and/or shape than at least one other shear lobe 12.

In some embodiments, the wedge assembly 2 may include a knife platform 20 from which a knife (not shown) may extend from the knife platform 20. In this manner, the knife cuts the tissue between the groups of staples as the wedge assembly 2 is moved distally to deploy the staples. The knife platform 20 may be positioned substantially at the lateral center of the wedge assembly 2.

Referring also to FIG. 2, the wedge assembly 2 is shown in an initial position relative to the cassette 30. For clarity, FIG. 3 shows the wedge assembly moved proximally relative to the cassette 30 away from its initial position. The wedge assembly 2 is initially in a proximal position relative to the cartridge 30 and moved distally to deploy staples, as described in more detail below. According to other embodiments, the wedge assembly 2 is initially in a distal position relative to the cassette 30 and moved proximally to deploy the staples. The cartridge 30 includes an upper surface 32. The upper surface 32 may include two lateral sides 32 a. The upper surface 32 may also include a central portion 32b separating the two lateral side portions 32 a. The central portion 32b may be planar and substantially horizontal. Each lateral side portion 32a may be planar and may slope downwardly away from its junction with the central portion 32 b. Each lateral side portion 32a may slope downwardly away from its junction with the central portion 32b at substantially the same angle. Alternatively, one lateral side 32a may slope downwardly at a different angle to the other away from its junction with the central portion 32 b. In other embodiments, the upper surface 32 may have any other suitable shape. For example, the entire upper surface 32 may be planar and substantially horizontal; the upper surface 32 may include further lateral sides 32 a; and/or the upper surface 32 may be curved in whole or in part.

The cartridge 30 includes a tip 34, which tip 34 may be straight (as shown) or may be curved to facilitate tissue dissection. The upper surface 32 of the cartridge 30 includes a plurality of apertures 36 defined therein. Referring also to fig. 5, the position of the apertures 36 corresponds to the position of the staples 42 within the cassette 30, as the apertures 36 provide openings for the staples 42 to be deployed out of the cassette 30 and into tissue.

Figures 4 to 5 show the wedge assembly 2 in an initial position relative to the nail 42 in the cassette 30. The staples 42 are secured to the nailing strip 40 at only a single end 46; the other end 44 is active. The junction between the fixed end 46 of each staple 42 and the nailing strip 40 forms a frangible connection therebetween. The strips of staples 40 and staples 42 may be constructed substantially as described in commonly assigned U.S. patent No.7,988,026, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Each nailing strip 40 has two lateral edges and each nailing strip 40 may have a row of nails 42 extending from each of its two lateral edges. The fixed ends 46 of the staples 42 in one row may extend from a longitudinal position along the nailing strip 40 that is longitudinally offset from the fixed ends 46 of the staples 42 in another row extending from the nailing strip 40, such that a staple 42 does not extend from the same longitudinal position on the nailing strip 40 as another staple 42. This arrangement of staples 42 along strip 40 is referred to as a "staggered" arrangement of staples 42, such that staples 42 in adjacent rows extending from strip 40 are staggered with respect to one another. This staggering of the staples 42 promotes hemostasis of the tissue into which the staples 42 are deployed. Because the position of the apertures 36 corresponds to the position of the staples 42 in the magazine 30, the apertures 36 on each lateral side of the magazine 30 are staggered relative to each other in the same manner as the corresponding staples 42. As shown in fig. 2-5, two rows of staples 42 are provided on each lateral side of the magazine 30, such that the staples 42 are arranged in four longitudinally extending rows in the magazine 30, and the staples 42 and corresponding apertures 36 on each individual lateral side are staggered. According to other embodiments, the pegs 42 and corresponding apertures 36 may be laterally staggered relative to each other across the entire upper surface 32 of the cartridge 30. In other embodiments, more than two rows of staples 42 are provided on each lateral side of the magazine 30, and the adjacent rows of staples 42 and the corresponding apertures 36 on each individual lateral side are staggered with respect to each other. For example, the staples 42 may be arranged in six longitudinally extending rows in the magazine 30, with the staples 42 of adjacent rows and the corresponding apertures 36 on each individual lateral side being staggered with respect to each other.

According to some embodiments, the cartridge 30 is removably retained by a receiver that is part of an end effector of a surgical stapler. The end effector includes an anvil opposite the receiver. At least one of the anvil and receiver is rotatable relative to the other to clamp and release tissue with and from the end effector. Such a receiver, anvil, end effector, and surgical stapler are described in commonly assigned U.S. patent No.9,004,339, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. According to other embodiments, the cartridge 30 is permanently fixed to and/or not detachable from the receiver or the end effector. According to other embodiments, the cartridge 30 is not used and the wedge assembly 2 is slidable through a fixed configuration in the end effector of a single-use surgical stapler in which the staples 42 are retained.

Operation of

As shown in fig. 2, a new cartridge 30 is ready for deployment. To begin deployment of the staples 42, the wedge assembly 2, initially positioned at the proximal end of the cartridge 30, is pushed distally. According to other embodiments, the wedge assembly 2 is initially positioned at the distal end of the cassette 30 and pushed proximally. The movement of the wedge assembly 2 may be caused by actuation of one or more controls on the handle of the surgical stapler, such as described in commonly assigned U.S. patent No.7,988,026.

When the wedge assembly 2 is slid distally relative to the cassette 30, the upper surface 6 of each wedge 4, in turn, directly contacts one or more of the staples 42 in a single longitudinally extending row in a manner that may be similar to that described in commonly assigned U.S. patent No.7,988,026. First, the nose 8 of one wedge 4 contacts the proximal-most nail 42 in a row. The shape of the nose 8 begins to rotate the nail 42 about the joint where the fixed end 46 of the nail 42 attaches to the nailing strip 40. The movable end 44 of the staple 42 begins to rotate out of the corresponding opening 36 in the upper surface 32 of the cartridge 30. As the wedge 4 continues to slide distally, the nose 8 moves distally out of engagement with the nail 42 and the platform 10 engages the nail 42. Engagement between the platform 10 and the staples 42 along the length of the platform 10 continues rotation of the staples 42 about the joint where the fixed ends 46 of the staples 42 are attached to the strip 40, and continues rotation of the movable ends 44 of the staples 42 out of the corresponding apertures 36 in the upper surface 32 of the cartridge 30. The contact between the platform 10 and the staples 42 exerts a force on the staples 42. The total force exerted by the platform 10 on the staples 42 over time is proportional to the length of the platform 10-the longer the platform 10, the greater the force exerted on the staples 42, and the shorter the platform 10, the less the force exerted on the staples 42.

When the wedge 4 has been moved distally so that the staples 42 contact the proximal end of the platform 10, the rotation of the staples 42 around the joint where the fixed ends 46 of the staples 42 are attached to the strip 40 is substantially complete, such that the formation of the staples 42 is substantially complete. The wedge 4 continues to move distally and the shear lugs 12 then engage the spikes 42. The engagement between the shear lugs 12 and the staples 42 breaks the staples 42 from the strip and/or otherwise breaks the staples 42 from the strip. For example, as the ramp 14 of the shear tab 12 begins to engage the staple 42, the shear tab 42 begins to push the staple 42 upward relative to the nailing strip 40. The substantially complete rotation of the staples 42 about the joint where the fixed ends 46 of the staples 42 are attached to the nailing strip 40 work hardens the joint such that the joint is more susceptible to fracture when shear forces are applied thereto. If the engagement between the ramp 14 and the nail 42 does not shear the nail 42 from the strip 40 or otherwise disconnect the nail 42 from the strip 40, the raised platform 16 next engages the nail 42 during continued distal movement of the wedge 4, and then shears or otherwise disconnects the nail 42 from the strip 40. The wedge 4 continues to move distally and engages the next most distal nail 42 in the row in the manner previously described in this paragraph. As the wedge 4 continues to move distally, the wedge 4 sequentially engages some or all of the remaining staples 42 in the row.

Each wedge 4 in turn engages a row of said nails 42 in substantially the same way as described in the previous paragraph. The inner wedges 4b, 4c engage the inner rows of nails 42 and the outer wedges 4a, 4d engage the outer rows of nails. As noted above, the staples 42 in adjacent rows extending from the nailing strip 40 are staggered with respect to each other. Further, as described above, the shear bumps 12 may be longitudinally aligned with each other within a distance equal to the length of one shear bump 12. Because the nails 42 are staggered and the shear lugs 12 are longitudinally aligned with one another over a distance equal to the length of one shear lug 12, less than all of the wedges 4 of the wedge assembly 2 engage the nails 42 simultaneously. The first set of wedges 4 directly contacts the first set of spikes 42 to shape the first set of spikes 42 and then breaks the first set of spikes 42 off of the strip of spikes 40. The number of staples 42 in the first group is smaller than the number of rows of staples 42. Next, the second set of wedges 4 directly contact the second set of staples 42 to form the second set of staples, and then the second set of staples 42 are broken off from the strip of staples 40. The number of staples 42 in this second group is less than the number of rows of staples 42. The number of staples 42 in the first set is equal to the number of staples 42 in the second set. For example, where four rows of staples 42 are included in the cartridge 30, the first set of staples 42 may include two staples and the second set of staples 42 may include two staples. The wedge 4 may then continue to move and contact the subsequent first set of staples 42 and subsequent second set of staples 42 until all of the staples 42 desired to be deployed have been deployed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first set of staples 42 may be from the inner row of staples and the second set of staples 42 may be from the outer row of staples. According to other exemplary embodiments, the first set of staples 42 may be from the outer row of staples and the second set of staples 42 may be from the inner row of staples.

The direct contact of the wedge 4 against the first set of pins 42 causes the first set of pins 42 to rotate substantially by a first angle. The amount of rotation is proportional to the length of the platform 10 on each wedge 4. In some embodiments, the land 10 on the wedge 4 that is in contact with the first set of pins 42 is shorter than the land 10 on the wedge 4 that is in contact with the second set of pins 42. As mentioned above, the inner wedges 4b, 4c have a shorter platform 10 than the outer wedges 4a, 4 d. The inner wedges 4b, 4c contact the first set of pins 42. Thus, the direct contact of the wedge 4 against the second set of pins 42 causes these pins 42 to rotate substantially by a second angle greater than the first angle. According to other embodiments, the land 10 on the wedge 4 in contact with the first set of pins 42 is longer than the land 10 on the wedge 4 in contact with the second set of pins 42, such that the direct contact of the wedge 4 against the second set of pins 42 causes the pins 42 to rotate substantially by a second angle smaller than the first angle.

The length of each platform 10 is also proportional to the amount of force applied to the nail 42 by the wedge 4; the longer the platform 10, the greater the force applied to the staples 42. In some embodiments, the land 10 on the wedge 4 that is in contact with the first set of pins 42 is shorter than the land 1O on the wedge 4 that is in contact with the second set of pins 42. Thus, the second force exerted by the wedge 4 directly against the second set of pins 42 on the second set of pins 42 is greater than the first force exerted on the first set of pins 42. According to other embodiments, the land 10 on the wedge 4 in contact with the first set of nails 42 is longer than the land 1O on the wedge 4 in contact with the second set of nails 42, such that the second force exerted by the wedge 4 in direct contact against the second set of nails 42 on the second set of nails 42 is less than the first force exerted on the first set of nails 42. The wedge 4 with the longer land 10 applies a greater force to the nail 42 for a longer period of time than the wedge 4 with the shorter land 10. After applying a force to the staples 42 by contact with the platform 10, the shear protrusions 12 shear the staples 42 from the strip 40.

The different lengths of the platform 10 also control the deployment time of the staples 42. According to some embodiments, all wedges 4 of the wedge assembly 2 engage a nail 42 substantially simultaneously, and nails 42 contacted by the inner wedges 4b, 4c with the shorter platforms 10 are deployed before nails contacted by the outer wedges 4a, 4d with the longer platforms 10. The nails 42 engaged by the wedges 4 with the shorter platforms 10 complete the engagement with the platforms 10 and are sheared off by the shearing projections 12 while the nails 42 engaged by the wedges 4 with the longer platforms 10 are still engaged with these longer platforms 10. In this manner, the first two staples 42 in the inner row are deployed before the first two staples 42 in the outer row. Furthermore, the nails 42 engaged by wedges 4 with longer lands 10 are in contact with these longer lands 10 for a longer time than the nails 42 engaged by wedges 4 with shorter lands 10.

In other embodiments, the longer platform 10 may be located on the inner wedges 4b, 4c and the shorter platform 10 may be located on the outer wedges 4a, 4d such that the staples 42 in the outer row are deployed before the first two staples 42 in the inner row. In other embodiments, the longer platform 10 may be distributed over the inner and outer wedges 4 and the shorter platform 10 is located over the other of the inner and outer wedges 4. In all of these configurations, the wedge assembly 2 begins to deploy a set of four nails 42 in four rows substantially simultaneously, and two nails 42 in the set are still being deployed while the other two nails 42 are being deployed.

According to other embodiments, for example where the nails 42 in a row are spaced farther apart longitudinally, the wedge 4 may apply a first force to the first set of nails 42 while the other wedges 4 do not apply a force to the second set of nails 42, and then the wedge 4 does not apply a force to the first set of nails while the other wedges 4 apply a force to the second set of nails 42. In such embodiments, the spikes 42 in a row are longitudinally spaced further apart from each other and/or the wedges 4 are shorter.

As used herein, and as is commonly used in the art, the word "substantially" and similar approximating terms are intended to encompass manufacturing tolerances, manufacturing variations and manufacturing inaccuracies which are inevitable parts of manufacturing any mechanism or structure.

While the invention has been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the invention. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction, the arrangement of components and/or the method set forth in the above description or illustrated in the drawings. The statements in the abstract and any summary statements in this document are merely exemplary; they are not and should not be construed to limit the scope of the claims. Furthermore, the drawings are exemplary only, and not limiting. The title headings and subheadings are for the convenience of the reader only. They should neither be construed as having any essential meaning, meaning or interpretation, nor should they be construed as indicating that all information relating to any particular subject matter is due to or limited to any particular topic or sub-topic. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted or limited except in light of the attached claims and their legal equivalents.