Staple driver for articulating surgical stapler
First Claim
1. A surgical stapling device comprising:
- an elongate tubular member having a flexible portion located between proximal and distal ends thereof;
a staple cartridge located at the distal end of the tubular member and including first and second staple pockets, the staple cartridge repositionable throughout a plurality of positions including a first position substantially aligned with the tubular member and a second position axially offset from the tubular member; and
an elongated band extending through the tubular member and the staple cartridge, wherein distal movement of the elongated band urges a staple out of the first staple pocket and proximal movement of the elongated band urges a staple out of the second staple pocket, the elongated band configured to urge the staples during its proximal and distal movement regardless of the position of the staple cartridge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An articulating surgical instrument is provided including a handle, an articulating portion extending distally of the handle and an end effector positioned on a distal end of the articulating portion. A flexible drive band is provided for movement through the articulating portion and end effector. The flexible drive band includes a first portion having a first height and the second portion having a second height greater than the first height. The difference in heights being sufficient to eject staples from a body portion of the end effector into an anvil member of the end effector. An actuation mechanism is provided for drawing the flexible drive band through the articulating surgical instrument.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A surgical stapling device comprising:
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an elongate tubular member having a flexible portion located between proximal and distal ends thereof; a staple cartridge located at the distal end of the tubular member and including first and second staple pockets, the staple cartridge repositionable throughout a plurality of positions including a first position substantially aligned with the tubular member and a second position axially offset from the tubular member; and an elongated band extending through the tubular member and the staple cartridge, wherein distal movement of the elongated band urges a staple out of the first staple pocket and proximal movement of the elongated band urges a staple out of the second staple pocket, the elongated band configured to urge the staples during its proximal and distal movement regardless of the position of the staple cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification