SURGICAL STAPLER WITH FLOATING ANVIL
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical stapler configured to receive a staple cartridge comprising staples, said surgical stapler comprising:
- a handle, comprising;
a trigger; and
a firing assembly, wherein said trigger is configured to actuate said firing assembly;
a shaft extending from said handle, wherein said shaft comprises a knife bar operably coupled with said firing assembly, wherein said knife bar comprises;
a cam; and
a cutting edge; and
an end effector, comprising;
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a support jaw, comprising;
a support surface configured to support the staple cartridge, wherein said support surface defines a support plane; and
a displacement guide defined along an axis transverse to said support plane; and
an anvil jaw, comprising;
a follower slidably received within said displacement guide; and
an anvil surface configured to deform the staples, wherein said cam of said knife bar is configured to contact said anvil jaw and drive said anvil surface toward said support surface when said knife bar is moved from said proximal end toward said distal end of said end effector.
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Abstract
A surgical instrument can include an anvil and, in addition, a staple cartridge support configured to support a staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the jaw can be moved toward the staple cartridge to deform staples contained within the staple cartridge. The anvil can be configured to be translated and/or rotated as the anvil is moved toward the staple cartridge. In certain embodiments, the anvil can be configured to float and adjust such that the anvil is moved downwardly in a level manner.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A surgical stapler configured to receive a staple cartridge comprising staples, said surgical stapler comprising:
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a handle, comprising; a trigger; and a firing assembly, wherein said trigger is configured to actuate said firing assembly; a shaft extending from said handle, wherein said shaft comprises a knife bar operably coupled with said firing assembly, wherein said knife bar comprises; a cam; and a cutting edge; and an end effector, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; a support jaw, comprising; a support surface configured to support the staple cartridge, wherein said support surface defines a support plane; and a displacement guide defined along an axis transverse to said support plane; and an anvil jaw, comprising; a follower slidably received within said displacement guide; and an anvil surface configured to deform the staples, wherein said cam of said knife bar is configured to contact said anvil jaw and drive said anvil surface toward said support surface when said knife bar is moved from said proximal end toward said distal end of said end effector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A surgical stapler configured to receive a staple cartridge comprising staples, said surgical stapler comprising:
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a handle, comprising; a trigger; and a firing system, wherein said trigger is configured to actuate said firing system; a shaft extending from said handle, wherein said shaft comprises a cutting member operably coupled with said firing system, and wherein said cutting member comprises at least one camming member; and an end effector, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; a support jaw, comprising; a plurality of stationary staple drivers; and a guide defined along an axis; an anvil jaw, comprising; a follower slidably received within said guide; and a forming surface configured to deform the staples, wherein said camming member of said knife bar is configured to contact said anvil jaw and drive said forming surface toward said stationary staple drivers between an open position, a closed position, and a fired position when said knife bar is moved from said proximal end toward said distal end, and wherein said forming surface is perpendicular to said axis when said anvil jaw is moved between said closed position and said fired position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An end effector of a surgical stapler, said end effector comprising:
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a staple cartridge, comprising; a plurality of staples; a collapsible deck movable between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein said deck is configured to support and maintain an alignment of the staples when said deck is in said unfired position; a cutting member operably coupled with a firing system of the surgical stapler, wherein said cutting member comprises at least one camming member; and a proximal end; a distal end; a first jaw, comprising; a plurality of stationary drivers configured to support said staples; and a first guide element; an anvil jaw, comprising; a second guide element slidably engaged with said first guide element, wherein said second guide element is movable along an axis; a tissue-engaging surface; and a plurality of forming pockets configured to deform said staples, wherein said camming member of said cutting member is configured to contact said anvil jaw and drive said tissue-engaging surface toward said first jaw between an open position, a closed position, and a fired position when said cutting member is moved from said proximal end toward said distal end, and wherein said tissue-contacting surface is parallel to said deck when said anvil jaw is moved between said closed position and said fired position.
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Specification