SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE HAVING SUPPORTS FOR A FLEXIBLE DRIVE MECHANISM
First Claim
1. A surgical stapler, comprising:
- a channel configured to receive a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge configured to removably store staples therein;
an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein one of said anvil and the staple cartridge defines a slot;
a cutting member, wherein said cutting member is relatively movable with respect to said anvil and the staple cartridge, and wherein said slot is configured to receive at least a portion of said cutting member and guide said cutting member as it is moved relative to said anvil and the staple cartridge; and
a flexible driver operably engaged with said cutting member to move said cutting member relative to said anvil and the staple cartridge, wherein said slot is further configured to receive at least a portion of said driver and support said driver when it moves said cutting member relative to said anvil and the staple cartridge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a staple cartridge, an anvil, a cutting member having a cutting surface, and a driver operably engaged with the cutting member to move the cutting member relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, one of the anvil and the staple cartridge defines a slot which is configured to receive at least a portion of the cutting member and guide the cutting member as it is moved relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In these embodiments, the slot can also be configured to receive a portion of the driver operably engaged with cutting member and support the driver when it moves the cutting member. In at least one embodiment, the slot is defined by at least one radius of curvature.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical stapler, comprising:
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a channel configured to receive a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge configured to removably store staples therein; an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein one of said anvil and the staple cartridge defines a slot; a cutting member, wherein said cutting member is relatively movable with respect to said anvil and the staple cartridge, and wherein said slot is configured to receive at least a portion of said cutting member and guide said cutting member as it is moved relative to said anvil and the staple cartridge; and a flexible driver operably engaged with said cutting member to move said cutting member relative to said anvil and the staple cartridge, wherein said slot is further configured to receive at least a portion of said driver and support said driver when it moves said cutting member relative to said anvil and the staple cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A staple cartridge, comprising:
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at least one cavity configured to receive a staple; a staple driver relatively movable with respect to said cavity, wherein said staple driver is configured to deploy said staple from said cavity when said staple driver is moved relative to said cavity; and a curved slot configured to receive at least a portion of a drive bar operably engaged with said staple driver, said slot including first and second curved surfaces configured to support said drive bar. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A surgical stapler, comprising:
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a channel configured to receive a staple cartridge, said staple cartridge configured to removably store staples therein; an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein one of said anvil and the staple cartridge defines a slot; a cutting member having a cutting surface, wherein said cutting member is relatively movable with respect to said anvil and the staple cartridge, wherein said slot defines a curved path for said cutting member when it is moved relative to said anvil and the staple cartridge, wherein said curved path is defined by at least one radius of curvature, and wherein said slot is configured to receive at least a portion of said cutting member and guide said cutting member as it is moved relative to said anvil and the staple cartridge; and a driver operably engaged with said cutting member to move said cutting member relative to said anvil and the staple cartridge, wherein said curved slot is further configured to receive at least a portion of said driver and support said driver when it moves said cutting member relative to said anvil and the staple cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A surgical stapler, comprising:
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a staple cartridge configured to removably store staples therein; an anvil configured to deform said staples; a cutting member having a cutting surface, wherein said cutting member is relatively movable with respect to said anvil and said staple cartridge; a driver operably engaged with said cutting member to move said cutting member relative to said anvil and said staple cartridge; and support means for supporting said driver when it moves said cutting member relative to said anvil and said staple cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification