Surgical stapler
First Claim
1. A surgical stapler comprising:
- a) a first body portion supporting an anvil which defines a fastener forming surface;
b) a second body portion configured to releasably mate with the first body portion;
c) a disposable loading unit removably supported in the second body portion and including;
i) a cartridge defining a plurality of slots and a tissue contacting surface;
ii) a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in the slots of the cartridge;
iii) a plurality of ejectors positioned adjacent the surgical fasteners; and
iv) an actuator configured to translate through the cartridge to sequentially interact with the ejectors, the actuator having engagement structure; and
d) an elongated actuation member mounted for longitudinal movement within the cartridge, the elongated actuation member having an engagement member releasably coupled to the engagement structure to enable pushing and pulling of the actuation member to effect movement of the actuation member in proximal and distal directions, respectively.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical stapler is disclosed which includes a first body portion supporting an anvil plate defining a fastener forming surface, and a second body portion configured to releasably mate with the first body portion. A disposable loading unit is removably supported in the second body portion and includes a cartridge defining a plurality of slots, a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in the slots, a plurality of ejectors positioned adjacent the surgical fasteners, and a wedged actuator configured to enter into and translate through the cartridge to sequentially interact with the ejectors. An elongated actuation member is mounted for longitudinal movement within the second body portion and is releasably engagable with the wedged actuator, whereby longitudinal movement of the actuation member causes the wedged actuator to interact with the ejectors, driving the surgical fasteners from the cartridge to be formed against the anvil plate.
1857 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A surgical stapler comprising:
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a) a first body portion supporting an anvil which defines a fastener forming surface; b) a second body portion configured to releasably mate with the first body portion; c) a disposable loading unit removably supported in the second body portion and including; i) a cartridge defining a plurality of slots and a tissue contacting surface; ii) a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in the slots of the cartridge; iii) a plurality of ejectors positioned adjacent the surgical fasteners; and iv) an actuator configured to translate through the cartridge to sequentially interact with the ejectors, the actuator having engagement structure; and d) an elongated actuation member mounted for longitudinal movement within the cartridge, the elongated actuation member having an engagement member releasably coupled to the engagement structure to enable pushing and pulling of the actuation member to effect movement of the actuation member in proximal and distal directions, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A surgical stapler for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue comprising:
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a) a first body portion having an anvil which defines a fastener forming surface against which surgical fasteners are driven; b) a second body portion having an elongate retention channel; and c) a disposable loading unit supported in the elongate retention channel of the second body portion and including; i) a cartridge defining a plurality of slots and a tissue contacting surface; ii) a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in the slots of the cartridge; iii) a plurality of ejectors positioned adjacent the surgical fasteners; and iv) an actuator configured to enter and translate through the cartridge to sequentially interact with the ejectors, the actuator including two upstanding cam wedges, an upstanding flange positioned between the cam wedges, and a knife blade attached to the upstanding flange, the two upstanding cam wedges and upstanding flange being monolithically formed from a unitary sheet of material. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. In a surgical stapler including a first body portion housing a plurality of surgical staples, and a second body portion defining an anvil surface against which the surgical staples are driven when ejected from the first body portion, the improvement comprising:
an actuation sled mounted to translate through the first body portion, the actuation sled being of monolithic construction, fabricated from a unitary sheet of material, and formed to include a planar base portion and two upstanding cam wedges. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
Specification