CPC A61B 17/1155 (2013.01) [A61B 17/068 (2013.01); A61B 17/0644 (2013.01); A61B 17/0682 (2013.01); A61B 17/07292 (2013.01); A61B 17/105 (2013.01); A61B 17/1114 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00274 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00473 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00818 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0645 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0725 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07264 (2013.01); A61B 2017/1132 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. An apparatus comprising:
(a) an anvil having a plurality of staple-forming pockets;
(b) a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a first leg, a second leg, and a crown, wherein the staple-forming pockets are configured to bend the first and second legs of the staples; and
(c) a plurality of staple support elements provided separately from the anvil, wherein the staple support elements are arranged discretely relative to one another such that each staple support element is aligned with a respective one of the staples,
wherein each staple support element is configured to be positioned between the crown of the respective staple and patient tissue such that at least one leg of the first and second legs of the staple is configured to pass through a portion of the staple support element before passing through the patient tissue and subsequently being formed by a respective staple-forming pocket of the anvil,
wherein each staple support element is configured to further form the at least one leg after the at least one leg is formed by the respective staple-forming pocket.
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