Apparatus and method for inserting staple drivers in a cartridge
First Claim
1. An apparatus for inserting at least one driver into at least one pocket formed in a surgical staple cartridge, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a base;
(b) a cartridge-receiving plate rigidly and adjustably mounted to said base, the cartridge-receiving plate having a channel configured to receive a cartridge;
(c) a driver guide fixture rigidly mounted to the base adjacent the channel of the cartridge-receiving plate, the guide fixture having a passage formed therein to receive and guide said at least one driver into the cartridge during use, said guide fixture passage having(i) a first portion with converging, tapered walls; and
(ii) a second portion with walls having dimensions for fitting closely around at least part of the driver;
(d) a cutter rigidly mounted to said base adjacent the channel of the cartridge-receiving plate, the cutter having at least one sharp edge for severing said at least one driver from a driver holder, said at least one sharp edge disposed at an edge of the passage of the driver guide fixture, wherein the cutter is removable from the base separate from the driver guide fixture; and
(e) a plunger apparatus having an element aligned with the fixture passage and configured to force the driver toward the fixture passage, thereby causing the driver holder to engage the sharp edge of the cutter and separate the driver from the driver holder, the driver continuing on into said at least one pocket of the cartridge.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved method and apparatus for inserting surgical staple drivers into a cartridge, including a base, a cartridge-receiving plate having a channel, upper and lower degating plates having a passage through them, a knife with a sharp edge adjacent the passage and a plunger apparatus that drives the drivers downwardly through the guide passage and into pockets in the cartridge. A cartridge locator plate seats the cartridge against stops in the channel. The cartridge-receiving plate is adjustable relative to the base. The upper and lower degating plates and the knife are not adjustable relative to the base, which avoids the need for re-alignment of the knife and degating plates upon re-mounting on the base. The cartridge-receiving plate is aligned relative to the base. A top riser is adjustably mounted to the base, and a cylinder arm, which holds the plunging apparatus, is non-adjustably mounted to the top riser.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for inserting at least one driver into at least one pocket formed in a surgical staple cartridge, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a base; (b) a cartridge-receiving plate rigidly and adjustably mounted to said base, the cartridge-receiving plate having a channel configured to receive a cartridge; (c) a driver guide fixture rigidly mounted to the base adjacent the channel of the cartridge-receiving plate, the guide fixture having a passage formed therein to receive and guide said at least one driver into the cartridge during use, said guide fixture passage having (i) a first portion with converging, tapered walls; and (ii) a second portion with walls having dimensions for fitting closely around at least part of the driver; (d) a cutter rigidly mounted to said base adjacent the channel of the cartridge-receiving plate, the cutter having at least one sharp edge for severing said at least one driver from a driver holder, said at least one sharp edge disposed at an edge of the passage of the driver guide fixture, wherein the cutter is removable from the base separate from the driver guide fixture; and (e) a plunger apparatus having an element aligned with the fixture passage and configured to force the driver toward the fixture passage, thereby causing the driver holder to engage the sharp edge of the cutter and separate the driver from the driver holder, the driver continuing on into said at least one pocket of the cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of inserting at least one driver into at least one pocket formed in a surgical staple cartridge, the method comprising:
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(a) mounting a cartridge-receiving plate to a base, the cartridge-receiving plate having a channel configured to receive a cartridge; (b) mounting a driver guide fixture rigidly to the base adjacent the channel of the cartridge-receiving plate, the guide fixture having a passage formed therein to receive and guide said at least one driver into the cartridge during use, said guide fixture passage having (i) a first portion with converging, tapered walls; and (ii) a second portion with walls having dimensions for fitting closely around at least part of the driver; (c) mounting a cutter rigidly to said base adjacent the channel of the cartridge-receiving plate, the cutter having at least one sharp edge disposed at an edge of the guide fixture passage; (d) adjusting a position of the cartridge-receiving plate relative to the base to align the channel with the guide fixture passage; (e) adjusting a position of an element of a plunger apparatus relative to the base to align the element with the guide fixture passage; (f) disposing the cartridge in the channel; (g) disposing said at least one driver in the guide fixture passage; (h) driving the plunger into engagement with said at least one driver, forcing the driver through the guide fixture passage, forcing a driver holder against the sharp edge of the cutter, separating the driver from the driver holder and forcing the driver into said at least one pocket of the cartridge; and (i) withdrawing the plunger from the guide fixture passage. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification