Surgical stapler with universal articulation and tissue pre-clamp
First Claim
1. A surgical stapling loading unit for connection to a surgical stapler, the loading unit comprising a tool assembly having an anvil assembly, and a channel dimensioned to releasably receive a replaceable staple cartridge assembly, the replaceable staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical staples, the loading unit having a connector portion for connecting to an elongate shaft, wherein the staple cartridge assembly is configured to be selectively coupled to and decoupled from the channel to facilitate replacement of the staple cartridge assembly.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tool assembly for a surgical stapling device includes a channel member for supporting a staple cartridge therein and an anvil to deform a plurality of staples ejected from the staple cartridge thereagainst. The tool assembly also includes a sled which is movable to force the staples from the cartridge against the anvil to staple tissue disposed between the anvil and the staple cartridge. A dynamic clamping member is included which has a pin which movably engages the anvil and a flange which movably engages the channel assembly. The dynamic clamping member is mounted to and movable with the sled. The pin and the flange of the dynamic clamping member cooperating to oppose the forces associated with clamping and stapling tissue and also to maintain a substantially uniform gap between the anvil and the staple cartridge during stapling of the tissue.
719 Citations
28 Claims
- 1. A surgical stapling loading unit for connection to a surgical stapler, the loading unit comprising a tool assembly having an anvil assembly, and a channel dimensioned to releasably receive a replaceable staple cartridge assembly, the replaceable staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical staples, the loading unit having a connector portion for connecting to an elongate shaft, wherein the staple cartridge assembly is configured to be selectively coupled to and decoupled from the channel to facilitate replacement of the staple cartridge assembly.
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19. A method of using a tool assembly in a surgical stapler system, comprising:
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removing a staple cartridge assembly from a cartridge channel assembly of the tool assembly after the staple cartridge assembly has been fired, the staple cartridge assembly being removable and replaceable by the user during a surgical procedure, the staple cartridge assembly being removably attached to the cartridge channel assembly and having a sled and staple pushers supporting staples, the tool assembly also being removable from the surgical stapler system; and inserting an unfired staple cartridge assembly into the tool assembly, the unfired staple cartridge assembly having a sled and staple pushers supporting staples. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification