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Partially reusable surgical stapler

  • US 8,007,513 B2
  • Filed: 06/12/2008
  • Issued: 08/30/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for performing a surgical stapling procedure, said method comprising:

  • a. providing a surgical stapler comprising a body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween, said proximal end comprising a handle and a distal end comprising a first staple cartridge and an opposing anvil, said first staple cartridge containing a plurality of surgical staples, said surgical stapler further including a first actuator module for deploying staples, said first actuator including a longitudinally movable member for sequentially ejecting staples towards said anvil;

    b. operating said first actuator module so as to eject said plurality of staples from said first staple cartridge;

    c. removing said first staple cartridge from said body and discarding said first staple cartridge, inserting a second staple cartridge into said body, said second staple cartridge containing a plurality of surgical staples;

    d. operating said first actuator module so as to eject said plurality of staples from said second staple cartridge;

    e. removing said first actuator module from said body and discarding said first actuator module;

    f. sterilizing said body, inserting a second actuator module and a staple cartridge into said body, and operating said actuator module so as to eject said plurality of staples.

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