Surgical stapler
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical cartridge with a plurality of rows of staples and a slot defining a longitudinal axis, said slot disposed between adjacent rows of staples;
- firing means for ejecting said staples from said cartridge;
cutting means movable in said slot; and
a lockout mechanism for preventing movement of said cutting means in said slot, said lockout mechanism comprising;
a leaf spring engageable with said cutting means to cause said cutting means to be out of alignment with said slot; and
alignment means initially in an aligning position on said cartridge to engage said cutting means and said leaf spring, to move said cutting means into alignment with said slot, said alignment means caused by motion of said cutting means along said axis to move out of its aligning position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to an improved surgical stapler that prevents refiring of a spent staple cartridge. More specifically, this invention includes a simple, inexpensive mechanical locking mechanism which prevents refiring of a spent staple cartridge by blocking the path of the firing and/or cutting means of the stapler.
2619 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A surgical cartridge with a plurality of rows of staples and a slot defining a longitudinal axis, said slot disposed between adjacent rows of staples;
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firing means for ejecting said staples from said cartridge; cutting means movable in said slot; and a lockout mechanism for preventing movement of said cutting means in said slot, said lockout mechanism comprising; a leaf spring engageable with said cutting means to cause said cutting means to be out of alignment with said slot; and alignment means initially in an aligning position on said cartridge to engage said cutting means and said leaf spring, to move said cutting means into alignment with said slot, said alignment means caused by motion of said cutting means along said axis to move out of its aligning position.
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2. In a surgical stapler for applying a plurality of rows of staples, aid rows of staples being housed in a disposable cartridge, said cartridge having a cartridge slot defining a longitudinal axis and disposed between adjacent rows of staples and extending substantially the entire length of said rows, said stapler including firing means for said staples, and cutting means movable in said slot, the improvement comprising a locking mechanism for preventing movement of said cutting means in said slot,
said locking means comprising: -
a leaf spring engageable with said cutting means to cause said cutting means to be out of alignment with said slot; and alignment means initially in an aligning position on said cartridge to engage said cutting means and said leaf spring, to move said cutting means into alignment with said slot, said alignment means caused by motion of said cutting means along said axis to move out of its aligning position. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A surgical stapler comprising:
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a cartridge containing a plurality of rows of staples, said cartridge having a front portion containing a cartridge slot defining a longitudinal axis and located between adjacent rows of staples and extending substantially the length of said row; and
a rear portion extending from said front portion;firing means for ejecting said staples from said cartridge; cutting means movable within said slot, said cutting means having a bottom surface, a top surface and a cutting edge; a locking mechanism for preventing movement of said cutting means within said slot comprising a leaf spring engageable with the bottom surface of said cutting means to place said cutting means in a first position out of alignment with said slot; and alignment means initially in an aligning position on said cartridge, for engaging the top surface of said cutting means in order to depress said leaf spring, so that said cutting means moves to a second position in alignment with said slot, said alignment means caused to move out of said aligning position by said cutting means during movement of said cutting means along said axis. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification