Surgical stapler
First Claim
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1. A surgical stapler apparatus, comprising:
- a cartridge containing a plurality of rows of staples, and defining a longitudinally extending cartridge slot;
firing means for ejecting said staples from said cartridge;
cutting means for cutting tissue configured for movement into said slot during the ejecting of said staples from said cartridge, said cutting means being movable between a first position wherein said cutting means is prevented from movement into said slot, and a second position wherein said cutting means is movable into said slot; and
locking means for initially maintaining said cutting means in said second position so that said cutting means is movable into said slot, said cutting means coacting with said locking means to prevent said locking means from maintaining said cutting means in said second position upon movement of said cutting means relative to said cartridge so that said cutting means is positioned in said first position when the cutting means is moved from within said slot, and is thereby prevented from movement into said slot, and a means for biasing said cutting means from said second position into said first position.
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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.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A surgical stapler apparatus, comprising:
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a cartridge containing a plurality of rows of staples, and defining a longitudinally extending cartridge slot; firing means for ejecting said staples from said cartridge; cutting means for cutting tissue configured for movement into said slot during the ejecting of said staples from said cartridge, said cutting means being movable between a first position wherein said cutting means is prevented from movement into said slot, and a second position wherein said cutting means is movable into said slot; and locking means for initially maintaining said cutting means in said second position so that said cutting means is movable into said slot, said cutting means coacting with said locking means to prevent said locking means from maintaining said cutting means in said second position upon movement of said cutting means relative to said cartridge so that said cutting means is positioned in said first position when the cutting means is moved from within said slot, and is thereby prevented from movement into said slot, and a means for biasing said cutting means from said second position into said first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A surgical stapler apparatus, comprising:
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a cartridge containing a plurality of rows of staples, and defining at least one longitudinally extending cartridge slot; actuating means for ejecting said staples from said cartridge and cutting tissue, at least part of said actuating means configured for movement within said slot during the ejecting of said staples from said cartridge, said actuating means movable between a first position wherein said actuating means is prevented from movement within said slot, and a second position wherein said actuating means is movable within said slot; and locking means for initially maintaining said actuating means in said second position, said actuating means coacting with said locking means to prevent said locking means from maintaining said actuating means in said second position upon movement of said actuating means relative to said cartridge so that said actuating means is positioned in said first position when the actuating means is moved from within the slot, and a means for biasing said actuating means from said second position into said first position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A surgical stapler apparatus, comprising:
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a removable cartridge containing a plurality of rows of staples, and defining a longitudinally extending cartridge slot; firing means for ejecting said staples from said cartridge; cutting means for cutting tissue operatively connected to said firing means and configured for movement into said slot during the ejecting of said staples from said cartridge; said cutting means defining notch means, and being movable between a first position wherein said cutting means is prevented from movement into said slot by engagement of said notch means with an associated locking element of said stapler apparatus, and a second position wherein said cutting means is movable into said slot; biasing means for biasing said cutting means from said second position into said first position; and locking means mounted on said cartridge for initially maintaining said cutting means in said second position so that said cutting means is movable into said slot, said cutting means coacting with said locking means to prevent said locking means from maintaining said cutting means in said second position upon movement of said cutting means relative to said cartridge so that said cutting means is positioned in said first position when the cutting means is moved from within said slot and said notch means is engageable with said associated locking element, and said cutting means is thereby prevented from movement into said slot. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification