Articulation insert for surgical instrument
First Claim
1. Surgical apparatus, comprising:
- a flexible articulation insert; and
at least one feeder belt extending through said articulation insert, wherein a plurality of staples are frangibly affixed to said feeder belt.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a flexible articulation insert and at least one feeder belt extending through the articulation insert, where at least some of the staples are frangibly connected to the feeder belt. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include at least one movable feeder belt; staples fixed to the feeder belt; and a flexible articulation insert having at least one feeder belt passage defined therein, the flexible articulation insert configured to bend through a range of motion; where each feeder belt extends through a corresponding feeder belt passage, and where each feeder belt passage is shaped such that the corresponding feeder belt and staples fixed thereto are slidable along the passage throughout the entire range of motion of the flexible articulation insert.
113 Citations
17 Claims
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1. Surgical apparatus, comprising:
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a flexible articulation insert; and at least one feeder belt extending through said articulation insert, wherein a plurality of staples are frangibly affixed to said feeder belt. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Surgical apparatus, comprising:
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at least one movable feeder belt; a plurality of staples fixed to said feeder belt; and a flexible articulation insert having at least one feeder belt passage defined therein, said flexible articulation insert configured to bend through a range of motion; wherein each said feeder belt extends through a corresponding said feeder belt passage, and wherein each said feeder belt passage is shaped such that the corresponding said feeder belt and staples fixed thereto are slidable along said passage throughout the entire said range of motion of said flexible articulation insert.
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Specification