Cartridge retainer for a curved cutter stapler
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument adapted for stapling tissue in a highly controlled manner, comprising:
- a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end and an end effector positioned at the distal end;
the end effector shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving a cartridge module containing a plurality of surgical fasteners;
a firing mechanism associated with the end effector and the cartridge module for selective actuation of the surgical fasteners;
the cartridge module includes a cartridge housing in which the surgical fasteners are housed and an anvil shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the surgical fasteners to facilitate stapling, the cartridge housing and anvil being relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another;
a retainer removeably positioned between the anvil and the cartridge housing to prevent undesired movement of the cartridge housing toward the anvil, wherein the retainer includes a disengagement structure and the disengagement structure includes a tab which contacts the end effector for release of the retainer upon insertion of the cartridge module within the end effector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument is adapted for stapling tissue in a highly controlled manner. The surgical instrument includes a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end and an end effector positioned at the distal end. The end effector is shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving a cartridge module containing a plurality of surgical fasteners. A firing mechanism is associated with the end effector and the cartridge module for selective actuation of the surgical fasteners. The cartridge module includes a cartridge housing in which the surgical fasteners are housed and an anvil shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the surgical fasteners to facilitate stapling. The cartridge housing and anvil are relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another. A retainer is removeably positioned between the anvil and the cartridge housing to prevent undesired movement of the cartridge housing toward the anvil.
1371 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument adapted for stapling tissue in a highly controlled manner, comprising:
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a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end and an end effector positioned at the distal end; the end effector shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving a cartridge module containing a plurality of surgical fasteners; a firing mechanism associated with the end effector and the cartridge module for selective actuation of the surgical fasteners; the cartridge module includes a cartridge housing in which the surgical fasteners are housed and an anvil shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the surgical fasteners to facilitate stapling, the cartridge housing and anvil being relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another; a retainer removeably positioned between the anvil and the cartridge housing to prevent undesired movement of the cartridge housing toward the anvil, wherein the retainer includes a disengagement structure and the disengagement structure includes a tab which contacts the end effector for release of the retainer upon insertion of the cartridge module within the end effector. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A surgical instrument adapted for stapling tissue in a highly controlled manner, comprising:
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a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end and an end effector positioned at the distal end; the end effector shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving a cartridge module containing a plurality of surgical fasteners; a firing mechanism associated with the end effector and the cartridge module for selective actuation of the surgical fasteners; the cartridge module includes a cartridge housing in which the surgical fasteners are housed and an anvil shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the surgical fasteners to facilitate stapling, the cartridge housing and anvil being relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another; a retainer removeably positioned between the anvil and the cartridge housing to prevent undesired movement of the cartridge housing toward the anvil, wherein the retainer includes containment slots shaped and dimensioned for extending partially around a guide pin of the end effector and securing the retainer to the guide pin. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A surgical instrument adapted for stapling tissue in a highly controlled manner, comprising:
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a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end and an end effector positioned at the distal end; the end effector shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving a cartridge module containing a plurality of surgical fasteners; a firing mechanism associated with the end effector and the cartridge module for selective actuation of the surgical fasteners; the cartridge module includes a cartridge housing in which the surgical fasteners are housed; and a retainer removeably positioned upon the cartridge module for preventing staples from falling out of the cartridge housing, wherein the retainer includes a locking mechanism selectively maintaining the retainer upon the cartridge module, the retainer requiring a first release force for removal of the retainer from the cartridge module when the cartridge module is separate from the end effector and a second release force for removal of the retainer from the cartridge module when the cartridge module is fully positioned within the end effector, wherein the first and second release forces are different. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A cartridge module containing a plurality of surgical fasteners for a surgical instrument adapted for stapling tissue in a highly controlled manner, wherein the surgical instrument includes an end effector shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving the cartridge module, the cartridge module comprising:
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a cartridge housing in which the surgical fasteners are housed; and a retainer removeably positioned upon the cartridge module for preventing staples from falling out of the cartridge housing, wherein the retainer includes a locking mechanism selectively maintaining the retainer upon the cartridge module, the retainer requiring a first release force for removal of the retainer from the cartridge module when the cartridge module is separate from the end effector and a second release force for removal of the retainer from the cartridge module when the cartridge module is fully positioned within the end effector, wherein the first and second release forces are different. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification