# US 10,130,360 B2 · Surgical stapler with universal articulation and tissue pre-clamp > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,130,360 B2 - Document ID: US10130360B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/855,166 - Filed: 2013-04-02 - Published: 2013-10-31 - Granted: 2018-11-20 - Earliest claimed: 2002-10-04 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Lee Ann Olson; Philip Roy; John W. Beardsley; Ralph Stearns; David C. Racenet; Clifford J. Emmons - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10130360B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 2017/07214: {Stapler heads} - A61B 2017/07278: {characterised by its sled or its staple holder} - A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter} - A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/2929: {with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft} - A61B 2017/2932: {Transmission of forces to jaw members} - A61B 2017/2939: {Details of linkages or pivot points} - A61B 2017/320024: {Morcellators, e.g. having a hollow cutting tube with an annular cutter for morcellating and removing tissue} - A61B 2017/320052: {Guides for cutting instruments} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A tool assembly for a surgical stapling device includes a channel member for supporting a staple cartridge therein and an anvil to deform a plurality of staples ejected from the staple cartridge thereagainst. The tool assembly also includes a sled which is movable to force the staples from the cartridge against the anvil to staple tissue disposed between the anvil and the staple cartridge. A dynamic clamping member is included which has a pin which movably engages the anvil and a flange which movably engages the channel assembly. The dynamic clamping member is mounted to and movable with the sled. The pin and the flange of the dynamic clamping member cooperating to oppose the forces associated with clamping and stapling tissue and also to maintain a substantially uniform gap between the anvil and the staple cartridge during stapling of the tissue. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical stapling loading unit for connection to a surgical stapler, the loading unit comprising a tool assembly having an anvil assembly, and a channel dimensioned to releasably receive a replaceable staple cartridge assembly, the replaceable staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical staples, the loading unit having a connector portion for connecting to an elongate shaft, wherein the staple cartridge assembly is configured to be selectively coupled to and decoupled from the channel to facilitate replacement of the staple cartridge assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the tool assembly is pivotally mounted to a shaft connector portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the channel has a bottom surface and upwardly extending side walls. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the channel includes a plurality of mechanical interfaces for matingly receiving a corresponding plurality of mechanical interfaces disposed on outer-facing surfaces of the staple cartridge assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the staple cartridge assembly includes a sled. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the staple cartridge assembly includes a dynamic clamping member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The loading unit according to claim 6, wherein the dynamic clamping member includes a knife blade. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The loading unit according to claim 6, wherein the dynamic clamping member includes a flange. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The loading unit according to claim 8, wherein the channel defines a notch configured to allow passage of the flange of the dynamic clamping member when the replaceable staple cartridge assembly is received within the channel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The loading unit according to claim 9, wherein the channel further defines an elongated slot in communication with the notch. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The loading unit according to claim 10, wherein the notch is wider than the elongated slot. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the staple cartridge assembly includes a plurality of pushers. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the anvil has a plurality of staple forming recesses. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A surgical stapler having a housing and a shaft, the shaft removably attachable to the connector portion of the loading unit according to claim 1. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The surgical stapler according to claim 14, wherein the shaft is removable from the housing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The surgical stapler according to claim 14, wherein the stapler further includes a handle assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A kit having the loading unit according to claim 1 and a first replacement staple cartridge assembly and a second replacement staple cartridge assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The kit according to claim 17, wherein the first staple cartridge assembly has surgical fasteners of a different size than the second staple cartridge assembly. ### Claim 19 A method of using a tool assembly in a surgical stapler system, comprising: removing a staple cartridge assembly from a cartridge channel assembly of the tool assembly after the staple cartridge assembly has been fired, the staple cartridge assembly being removable and replaceable by the user during a surgical procedure, the staple cartridge assembly being removably attached to the cartridge channel assembly and having a sled and staple pushers supporting staples, the tool assembly also being removable from the surgical stapler system; and inserting an unfired staple cartridge assembly into the tool assembly, the unfired staple cartridge assembly having a sled and staple pushers supporting staples. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the staple cartridge assembly that is removed has staples of different sizes than the unfired staple cartridge assembly. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the staple cartridge assembly that is removed, and the unfired staple cartridge assembly, include a dynamic clamping member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method according to claim 21, wherein the dynamic clamping member includes a knife. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the tool assembly is part of a kit including a variety of staple cartridge assemblies any of which may be selectively coupled to the cartridge channel assembly as desired for use during a particular operation. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the surgical stapler system includes an actuating assembly. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the tool assembly includes a shaft connector portion. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method according to claim 25, wherein the shaft connector portion is removably associated with a manually operated surgical stapler. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The method according to claim 25, wherein the shaft connector portion is removably associated with a robotic operated surgical stapler. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The method according to claim 25, wherein the shaft connector portion is removably associated with a computer operated surgical stapler.