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US 5,865,361 AGranted
Surgical stapling apparatus
AssigneeUnited States Surgical Corporation
InventorsKeith L. Milliman, Frank J. Viola, Joseph Orban, Randolph F. Lehn
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Abstract
A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device can be used with both articulating and non-articulating disposable loading units and has a sensing mechanism for sensing the type of disposable loading unit secured to the device.
Claims4
A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:
- a) a handle assembly including a movable handle, the movable handle being movable through an actuation stroke;
- b) an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated body having a distal end adapted to releasably engage both articulating and non-articulating disposable loading unit types;
- c) an actuation shaft supported at least in part within the handle assembly and mounted for longitudinal movement in response to manipulation of the actuation handle;
- d) an articulation mechanism including an articulation lever mounted adjacent the handle assembly and an articulation link, the articulation link having a proximal end operatively connected to the articulation lever and a distal end positioned adjacent the distal end of the elongated body;
- and
- e) a sensing mechanism positioned within the elongated body and operatively associated with the articulation mechanism, the sensing mechanism including a sensing member for sensing the type of disposable loading unit engaged with the elongated body.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.