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Surgical stapling instrument having an electroactive polymer actuated medical substance dispenser

  • US 20060025813A1
  • Filed: 06/01/2005
  • Published: 02/02/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

  • a handle operably configured to produce a firing motion;

    an elongate shaft attached to the handle;

    an end effector distally attached to the elongate shaft and comprising opposing jaws for clamping tissue;

    a firing member comprising a firing bar received for reciprocating longitudinal motion in the elongate shaft to transfer the firing motion, a cutting surface distally attached to the firing bar to sever the clamped tissue in the end effector, and a fluid passage defined longitudinally in the firing bar to the cutting surface;

    control circuitry operably configured to respond to a firing condition to generate a dispensing signal; and

    an electrical fluid dispenser in communication with the fluid passage and responsive to the dispensing signal to dispense a medical substance along the fluid passage to the cutting surface.

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