# US 2017/0281174 A1 · Circular stapling system comprising load control > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0281174 A1 - Document ID: US20170281174A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/089,349 - Filed: 2016-04-01 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-01 - Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Applicants: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC - Inventors: Jason L. Harris; Frederick E. Shelton, IV - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170281174A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - 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 17/0686: {having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling} - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/105: {Wound clamp magazines (for packaging sharps A61B50/3001)} - A61B 17/115: Staplers for performing anastomosis, e.g. in a single operation - A61B 17/1155: {Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples} - A61B 17/32: Surgical cutting instruments ({A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467;} implements for ligaturing and cutting {A61B17/122, A61B17/12; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133}) - A61B 17/3211: Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor - A61B 17/0644: {penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position} - A61B 17/07292: {Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets} - A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery - A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw} - A61B 90/37: {Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation} - A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments} - A61B 2017/00022: {Sensing or detecting at the treatment site} - A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output} - A61B 2017/00128: {related to intensity or progress of surgical action} - A61B 2017/00199: {with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display} - A61B 2017/00305: {Constructional details of the flexible means} - A61B 2017/00367: {Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like} - A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids} - A61B 2017/00407: {Ratchet means} - A61B 2017/00424: {ergonomic, e.g. fitting in fist} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B 2017/00464: {for use with different instruments} - A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated} - A61B 2017/00818: {Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system} - A61B 2017/00946: {malleable} - A61B 2017/00964: {composite} - A61B 2017/07214: {Stapler heads} - A61B 2017/07221: {curved} - A61B 2017/07228: {Arrangement of the staples} - A61B 2017/07235: {containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials} - A61B 2017/07242: {achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes} - A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil} - A61B 2017/07264: {characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material} - A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge} - A61B 2017/07278: {characterised by its sled or its staple holder} - A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter} - A61B 2017/2903: {transferring rotary motion} - A61B 2017/2905: {flexible} - A61B 2017/291: {the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/2912: {transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston} - A61B 2017/292: {connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess} - A61B 2017/2922: {toggle linkages} - A61B 2017/2923: {Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion} - A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/2932: {Transmission of forces to jaw members} - A61B 2017/2946: {Locking means} - A61B 2090/034: {abutting on parts of the device itself} - A61B 2090/08021: {of the patient or his organs} - A61B 2090/0808: {for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus} - A61B 2090/0811: {for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument} - A61B 2090/0814: {Preventing re-use} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An end effector for use with a surgical stapler is disclosed, the end effector comprises a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal axis and a plurality of staple cavities defined in the cartridge body. The staple cavities comprise a first annular row of staple cavities extending around the longitudinal axis and a second annular row of staple cavities extending around the longitudinal axis. The end effector further comprises staples removably stored in the staple cavities and a ramp rotatable about the longitudinal axis to sequentially eject the staples from the staple cavities. The end effector further comprises a cutting member which is deployed after the staples are ejected from the staple cavities. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An end effector for use with a surgical stapler, wherein said end effector comprises: a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal axis; a plurality of staple cavities defined in said cartridge body, comprising: a first annular row of staple cavities extending around said longitudinal axis; and a second annular row of staple cavities extending around said longitudinal axis; staples removably stored in said staple cavities; an anvil configured to deform said staples; and a cutting member; and a ramp rotatable about said longitudinal axis to eject said staples from said staple cavities and then deploy said cutting member to incise tissue captured between said cartridge body and said anvil. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The end effector of claim 1, further comprising staple drivers, wherein said ramp is configured to sequentially engage said staple drivers to sequentially eject said staples from said staple cavities. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The end effector of claim 2, wherein said ramp sequentially ejects said staples stored in said first row of staple cavities before sequentially ejecting said staples stored in said second row of staple cavities. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The end effector of claim 1, wherein said cartridge body comprises a spiral slot configured to guide said ramp, and wherein said spiral slot extends around said longitudinal axis while constantly approaching said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The end effector of claim 1, wherein said cartridge body comprises a spiral slot configured to guide said ramp, and wherein said spiral slot extends around said longitudinal axis while constantly receding from said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The end effector of claim 1, wherein said cartridge body comprises a curved slot configured to receive said ramp, and wherein said curved slot extends around said longitudinal axis while approaching said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The end effector of claim 1, wherein said cartridge body comprises a curved slot configured to receive said ramp, and wherein said curved slot extends around said longitudinal axis while constantly receding from said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The end effector of claim 1, wherein said staples comprise: a plurality of first staples, wherein each said first staple is positioned in said first annular row of staple cavities, and wherein each said first staple is defined by a first unformed height; and a plurality of second staples, wherein each said second staple is positioned in said second annular row of staple cavities, and wherein each said second staple is defined by a second unformed height which is different than said first unformed height. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The end effector of claim 8, wherein said anvil is configured to deform said first staples to a first formed height and said second staples to a second formed height, and wherein said first formed height is different than said second formed height. ### Claim 10 An end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein said end effector comprises: a cartridge body comprising a deck and a longitudinal axis; a plurality of staple cavities defined in said cartridge body; staples removably stored in said staple cavities; a cutting member; and a firing member rotatable about said longitudinal axis to sequentially eject said staples from said staple cavities and then sequentially deploy said cutting member above said deck. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The end effector of claim 10, further comprising staple drivers, wherein said firing member is configured to sequentially engage said staple drivers to sequentially eject said staples from said staple cavities. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The end effector of claim 10, wherein said plurality of staple cavities comprises: a first annular row of staple cavities extending around said longitudinal axis; and a second annular row of staple cavities extending around said longitudinal axis, wherein said firing member sequentially ejects said staples stored in said first row of staple cavities before sequentially ejecting said staples stored in said second row of staple cavities. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The end effector of claim 10, wherein said cartridge body comprises a spiral slot configured to guide said firing member, and wherein said spiral slot extends around said longitudinal axis while constantly approaching said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The end effector of claim 10, wherein said cartridge body comprises a spiral slot configured to guide said firing member, and wherein said spiral slot extends around said longitudinal axis while constantly receding from said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The end effector of claim 10, wherein said cartridge body comprises a curved slot configured to receive said firing member, and wherein said curved slot extends around said longitudinal axis while approaching said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The end effector of claim 10, wherein said cartridge body comprises a curved slot configured to receive said firing member, and wherein said curved slot extends around said longitudinal axis while constantly receding from said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The end effector of claim 12, wherein said staples comprise: a plurality of first staples, wherein each said first staple is positioned in said first annular row of staple cavities, and wherein each said first staple is defined by a first unformed height; and a plurality of second staples, wherein each said second staple is positioned in said second annular row of staple cavities, and wherein each said second staple is defined by a second unformed height which is different than said first unformed height. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The end effector of claim 17, further comprising an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein said anvil is configured to deform said first staples to a first formed height and said second staples to a second formed height, and wherein said first formed height is different than said second formed height. ### Claim 19 An end effector for use with a surgical stapler configured to apply annular rows of staples, said end effector comprising: a cartridge body; a plurality of staple cavities defined in said cartridge body, comprising: a first annular row of staple cavities; a second annular row of staple cavities; a first group of staples removably stored in said first annular row of staple cavities; a second group of staples removably stored in said second annular row of staple cavities; a plurality of staple drivers, wherein each said staple driver is configured to eject a said staple from a said staple cavity; a cutting member; a drive slot defined along an arcuate path, wherein said arcuate path includes: a first portion which extends under said first annular row of staple cavities; a second portion following said first portion which extends under said second annular row of staple cavities; and a third portion following said second portion which extends under said cutting member; and a ramp slideable within said drive slot, wherein said ramp is configured to engage said staple drivers to eject said staples from said staple cavities and deploy said cutting member.