Surgical stapler
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorsDominick L. Mastri, Frank J. Viola, Thomas W. Alesi, JR., Robert J. Geiste, Jon Wilson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A surgical device is described herein that can be used to fire different types and sizes of disposable loading units. In a preferred embodiment, the device applies parallel rows of surgical fasteners to body tissue and concomitantly forms an incision between the rows of staples during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure. The device can be utilized with disposable loading units configured to apply linear rows of staples measuring from about 15 mm in length to about 60 mm in length and can be used to fire disposable loading units containing surgical clips and individual staples.
Claims13
1-5. (canceled)
A surgical tool for applying staples, comprising:
- a body having a connection portion at one end and first and second jaws supported at the other end, the first jaw having a plurality of staples arranged in rows, and the second jaw having an anvil, the first and second jaws having an open position and a closed position;
- a drive member supporting a cam member at a distal end, wherein the cam member is positioned to engage the second jaw, the drive member including an elongated drive beam, wherein the drive member includes a balancing flange positioned to engage the first jaw to balance clamping forces generated by the cam member as tissue is progressively clamped between the first and second jaws;
- and
- a handle assembly connectable to the connection portion, the handle assembly having a toothed actuation shaft and a pawl for engaging the actuation shaft and incrementally advancing the actuation shaft, the drive member being connected to the actuation shaft when the handle assembly is connected to the connection portion of the body.
The surgical device according to claim 1, wherein the handle assembly includes a release mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.