Apparatus for closing a curved anvil of a surgical stapling device
First Claim
2. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said middle portion of said anvil is closer to the staple cartridge than said distal portion when said anvil is in said first position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a cutting member having a cutting surface, wherein the cutting member is relatively movable with respect to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil is movable between an open position and a partially-closed position. When the anvil is in its partially-closed position, the anvil and the staple cartridge can be configured to capture tissue therebetween without fully compressing the tissue. In at least one embodiment, the anvil includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a middle portion intermediate the proximal portion and the distal portion. In these embodiments, the tissue can be captured between the proximal and distal portions of the anvil before the middle portion of the anvil is brought into contact with the tissue.
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Citations
30 Claims
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2. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said middle portion of said anvil is closer to the staple cartridge than said distal portion when said anvil is in said first position.
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3. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said anvil is movable between said second position and a third position, wherein said proximal portion, said middle portion and said distal portion are substantially equidistant from the staple cartridge when said anvil is in said third position.
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4. The surgical stapler of claim 1, further comprising a handle portion and a shaft, wherein said shaft extends between said handle portion and said staple cartridge channel, wherein said shaft defines an axis, and wherein said anvil and the staple cartridge are configured to deploy at least two curved rows of staples with respect to said axis.
- 5. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said anvil further includes a first edge extending between said proximal portion and said distal portion and a second edge extending between said proximal portion and said distal portion, and wherein said first edge is closer to the staple cartridge than said second edge when said anvil is in said second position.
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9. The surgical stapler of claim 1, further comprising said staple cartridge.
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10. A method for processing an instrument for surgery, comprising:
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obtaining the surgical stapler of claim 1; sterilizing said surgical stapler; and storing said surgical stapler in a sterile container.
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11-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A surgical stapler for stapling tissue, comprising:
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a channel configured for receiving a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge configured to removably store staples therein; and an anvil configured to deform the staples, said anvil having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a middle portion intermediate said proximal portion and said distal portion, wherein said anvil is movable between an open position, a partially-closed position, and a closed position, wherein said anvil and the staple cartridge are configured to hold the tissue therebetween when said anvil is in said partially-closed position, and wherein said proximal portion and said distal portion of said anvil are closer to the staple cartridge than said middle portion when said anvil is in said partially-closed position. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A surgical stapler for stapling tissue, comprising:
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a channel configured for receiving a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge configured to removably store staples therein; and an anvil configured to deform the staples, said anvil having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a middle portion intermediate said proximal portion and said distal portion, wherein said anvil is movable between an open position, a partially-closed position, and a closed position, wherein said anvil and the staple cartridge are movably connected such that, when said anvil is in said partially-closed position, said middle portion and said staple cartridge are separated by a first distance and said distal portion and said staple cartridge are separated by a second distance, wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification