Surgical Stapler That Adjusts for Different Tissue Thicknesses
This patent describes a surgical stapling instrument that can use different disposable cartridges, called reloads, to staple tissues of varying thicknesses by changing the gap between the stapler's jaws.
Original patent title: “Surgical stapling instrument”
This patent describes a surgical stapling instrument that can use different disposable cartridges, called reloads, to staple tissues of varying thicknesses by changing the gap between the stapler's jaws. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The surgical instrument includes a long shaft and an end effector, which is the part that does the stapling. This end effector has a jaw and a special coupling member. This coupling member is designed to hold two different types of reloads, attaching them to the end effector. When the first reload is in place, the coupling member holds it so there's a specific 'tissue gap' between the jaw and the reload. When the second reload is used, the coupling member holds it to create a different, larger tissue gap. This design allows a surgeon to treat tissues of various sizes, shapes, and thicknesses using the same main instrument, simply by switching reloads.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover surgical stapling instruments that only accept one type of reload with a fixed tissue gap.
- Does not cover surgical stapling instruments where the tissue gap is adjusted by the instrument's internal mechanism, rather than by swapping different reloads.
- Does not cover surgical instruments that do not use disposable reloads.
- Does not cover surgical instruments that do not create a specific tissue gap, such as simple cutting or grasping tools.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The innovation lies in the 'coupling member' that specifically retains different reloads, each designed to create a distinct, predetermined tissue gap. This allows the same instrument to precisely handle varying tissue thicknesses without complex mechanical adjustments by the surgeon.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Ethicon Echelon Flex powered staplers
Medtronic Signia powered staplers
Most modern surgical stapling platforms with interchangeable cartridges
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology simplifies surgical procedures by allowing a single stapling instrument to adapt to different patient anatomies and tissue types. Surgeons can quickly change reloads to match the tissue thickness, potentially reducing the number of instruments needed in an operating room. This versatility can lead to more efficient surgeries and better patient outcomes by ensuring the correct staple compression for various tissues.
Filed
May 14, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major medical device companies like Ethicon (a Johnson & Johnson company) and Medtronic are continuously developing and refining surgical stapling instruments. These companies focus on creating versatile platforms that can accommodate different reloads for various surgical applications, often incorporating powered features and advanced articulation.
Market impact
The ability to use a single surgical instrument with interchangeable reloads for different tissue thicknesses has significantly impacted the surgical stapler market. It has driven demand for more versatile and efficient stapling platforms, reducing the need for multiple specialized instruments. This approach has become a standard feature in many advanced surgical stapling systems, influencing product development and competitive strategies among medical device manufacturers.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The surgical instrument includes a long shaft and an end effector, which is the part that does the stapling. This end effector has a jaw and a special coupling member. This coupling member is designed to hold two different types of reloads, attaching them to the end effector. When the first reload is in place, the coupling member holds it so there's a specific 'tissue gap' between the jaw and the reload. When the second reload is used, the coupling member holds it to create a different, larger tissue gap. This design allows a surgeon to treat tissues of various sizes, shapes, and thicknesses using the same main instrument, simply by switching reloads.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in the 'coupling member' that specifically retains different reloads, each designed to create a distinct, predetermined tissue gap. This allows the same instrument to precisely handle varying tissue thicknesses without complex mechanical adjustments by the surgeon.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover surgical stapling instruments that only accept one type of reload with a fixed tissue gap.
- Does not cover surgical stapling instruments where the tissue gap is adjusted by the instrument's internal mechanism, rather than by swapping different reloads.
- Does not cover surgical instruments that do not use disposable reloads.
- Does not cover surgical instruments that do not create a specific tissue gap, such as simple cutting or grasping tools.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 17.6 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Surgical Stapler That Adjusts for Different Tissue Thicknesses (U.S. Patent No. 12,733,930). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733930/surgical-stapling-instrument
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Surgical Stapler That Adjusts for Different Tissue Thicknesses cover?
This patent describes a surgical stapling instrument that can use different disposable cartridges, called reloads, to staple tissues of varying thicknesses by changing the gap between the stapler's jaws.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology simplifies surgical procedures by allowing a single stapling instrument to adapt to different patient anatomies and tissue types. Surgeons can quickly change reloads to match the tissue thickness, potentially reducing the number of instruments needed in an operating room. This versatility can lead to more efficient surgeries and better patient outcomes by ensuring the correct staple compression for various tissues.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover surgical stapling instruments that only accept one type of reload with a fixed tissue gap.
Patent monitoring