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End effectors with same side closure and firing motions

  • US 9,826,978 B2
  • Filed: 11/20/2014
  • Issued: 11/28/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An end effector for use with a surgical stapler for stapling tissue, the end effector comprising:

  • a frame portion;

    a staple cartridge, comprising;

    a cartridge body including a proximal end and a distal end;

    an elongate slot defining a longitudinal axis and extending between the proximal end and the distal end;

    a tissue contacting portion, comprising;

    a first tissue contacting surface; and

    a second tissue contacting surface, wherein the first tissue contacting surface is stepped up from the second tissue contacting surface;

    a plurality of first staples arranged in a first longitudinal row on a lateral side of the elongate slot, wherein the first longitudinal row extends along the first tissue contacting surface, and wherein each of the plurality of first staples is defined by a first unformed height; and

    a plurality of second staples arranged in a second longitudinal row on the lateral side of the elongate slot, wherein the first longitudinal row is closer to the elongate slot than the second longitudinal row, wherein the second longitudinal row extends along the second tissue contacting surface, and wherein each of the plurality of second staples is defined by a second unformed height greater than the first unformed height;

    a first jaw member positionable on a first side of the tissue, wherein the first jaw member extends fixedly from the frame portion;

    a second jaw member positionable on a second side of the tissue;

    a firing member translatable distally along the longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the firing member comprises;

    a body portion;

    a cutting member extending distally from the body portion;

    a first camming member coupled to the body portion, wherein the first camming member is configured to engage the first jaw member; and

    a second camming member coupled to the body portion, wherein the second camming member is configured to engage the second jaw member; and

    a rotation joint, wherein the second jaw member is pivotably movable relative to the first jaw member about the rotation joint in response to at least one camming motion applied to the second jaw member by the second camming member, wherein the second jaw member is configured to apply a closing motion against the tissue and a firing motion to deform the staples, and wherein both the closing motion and the firing motion are applied to the tissue from the same side of the tissue.

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