SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a handle configured to generate a closing motion and a separate and distinct firing motion;
a shaft extending from said handle;
an articulation joint; and
an end effector, wherein said end effector is movable relative to said shaft about said articulation joint, said end effector comprising;
an anvil responsive to said closing motion; and
a firing member responsive to said firing motion.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a handle configured to generate a closing motion and a separate and distinct firing motion; a shaft extending from said handle; an articulation joint; and an end effector, wherein said end effector is movable relative to said shaft about said articulation joint, said end effector comprising; an anvil responsive to said closing motion; and a firing member responsive to said firing motion. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A surgical stapling system, comprising:
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a handle; a closure system configured to generate a closing motion when actuated; a firing system configured to generate a firing motion when actuated; a shaft, comprising; a closure member configured to transmit said closing motion; a firing member configured to transmit said firing motion; and an articulation joint; and an end effector, wherein said end effector is rotatable relative to said shaft about said articulation joint, and wherein said end effector comprises; an anvil responsive to said closing motion; and a staple deploying member responsive to said firing motion. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A surgical stapling system, comprising:
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a shaft portion, comprising; a closure member configured to transmit a closing motion; and a firing member configured to transmit a firing motion; an articulation joint; and an end effector, wherein said end effector is rotatable relative to said shaft about said articulation joint, and wherein said end effector comprises; a first jaw responsive to said closing motion; and a staple deploying member responsive to said firing motion. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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Specification