Staple drive assembly
First Claim
1. A staple drive assembly comprising:
- a cartridge having a proximal end and a distal end, the cartridge defining retention slots, each retention slot configured to releasably receive a staple;
at least one staple pusher configured to interact with the staple, the at least one staple pusher including at least two pusher plates that are laterally and longitudinally spaced apart from each other and at least one cam member interposed between adjacent pusher plates, the at least one cam member having at least one engagement surface; and
an actuation sled disposed in the cartridge, the actuation sled including at least one camming member and a guide member, the at least one camming member disposed on a first side of the guide member, the at least one camming member including longitudinally spaced apart first and second cam wedges, each cam wedge including at least one drive face,wherein the actuation sled translates from the proximal end to the distal end of the cartridge such that the at least one drive face engages the at least one engagement surface to urge the at least one staple pusher in a vertical direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A staple drive assembly includes an actuation sled and at least one staple pusher. The staple drive assembly is adapted to fit within a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples and a corresponding number of retention slots. The at least one staple pusher includes at least one pusher plate for releasably engaging a backspan of a staple. The staple pusher may include a plurality of pusher plates that may be laterally and longitudinally spaced apart. An actuation member has at least one angled camming surface for engaging a complimentary angled surface of the at least one staple pusher. Camming engagement between the actuation member and the at least one staple pusher causes vertical movement of the at least one staple pusher. Lateral and longitudinal offset of the actuation member camming surfaces and the corresponding staple pusher following surfaces improves stability and control of the staple pusher during firing.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A staple drive assembly comprising:
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a cartridge having a proximal end and a distal end, the cartridge defining retention slots, each retention slot configured to releasably receive a staple; at least one staple pusher configured to interact with the staple, the at least one staple pusher including at least two pusher plates that are laterally and longitudinally spaced apart from each other and at least one cam member interposed between adjacent pusher plates, the at least one cam member having at least one engagement surface; and an actuation sled disposed in the cartridge, the actuation sled including at least one camming member and a guide member, the at least one camming member disposed on a first side of the guide member, the at least one camming member including longitudinally spaced apart first and second cam wedges, each cam wedge including at least one drive face, wherein the actuation sled translates from the proximal end to the distal end of the cartridge such that the at least one drive face engages the at least one engagement surface to urge the at least one staple pusher in a vertical direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A staple drive assembly comprising:
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a cartridge; at least one staple pusher, the at least one staple pusher including at least two pusher plates that are laterally and longitudinally spaced apart from each other and at least one cam member interposed between adjacent pusher plates; and an actuation sled including at least one camming member disposed on a first side of a central longitudinal axis of the actuation sled, the at least one camming member including longitudinally spaced apart first and second cam wedges, wherein the actuation sled translates distally within the cartridge such that the actuation sled engages the at least one cam member of the staple pusher to urge the at least one staple pusher in a vertical direction. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of driving a staple, the method comprising:
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providing a staple drive assembly comprising; a cartridge having a proximal end and a distal end, the cartridge defining retention slots, each retention slot configured to releasably receive a staple; at least one staple pusher configured to interact with the staples in each retention slot, the at least one staple pusher including at least two pusher plates that are laterally and longitudinally spaced apart from each other and first and second cam members interposed between adjacent pusher plates, each cam member having first and second engagement surfaces; and an actuation sled disposed in the cartridge, the actuation sled including at least one camming member and a guide member, the at least one camming member disposed on a first side of the guide member, the at least one camming member including longitudinally spaced apart first and second cam wedges, each cam wedge including at least first and second drive faces defining first and second drive angles; translating the actuation sled from the proximal end of the cartridge to the distal end of the cartridge; urging the at least one staple pusher from a first position in a vertical direction by slidable engagement between the first drive faces of the actuation sled and the first engagement surfaces of the first and second cam members of the at least one staple pusher; driving the at least one staple pusher to an intermediate position by continued distal translation of the actuation sled, such that the second drive faces of the actuation sled engage the second engagement surfaces of the first and second cam members of the at least one staple pusher, while the first drive faces substantially and simultaneously disengage from the respective first engagement surfaces of the at least one staple pusher; and transitioning the at least one staple pusher into a second position prior to the disengagement between the second drive faces of the actuation sled and the respective second engagement surfaces of the first and second cam members of the at least one staple pusher by continued distal translation of the actuation sled, such that one of the at least two pusher plates is received into the respective retention slot and engages a backspan of the staple. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification