Robotic loader for surgical stapling cartridge
AssigneeThe Schnipke Family Limited Liability Company
InventorsRonald J. Schnipke, David B. Erhart
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A means and method for inserting drivers into a surgical stapling cartridge, including a pallet that holds the cartridge firmly. The pallet has a central slot and laterally positioned lip members that are biased toward the slot. The cartridge is positioned in the slot and the lip members are released to extend their lips over the lateral flanges on the cartridge, thereby holding the cartridge in position. A finger extends into a recess formed at one end of the cartridge, thereby positively positioning the cartridge in the slot. The cartridge is released for removal by a tongue inserted between the lip members, thereby separating them by displacement.
Claims6
A method of filling a surgical stapling cartridge with drivers, the method comprising:
- (a) holding firmly a cartridge in a pallet, the pallet comprising:
- (i) a base having a lower surface seating on a conveyor;
- and
- (ii) means mounted on an upper surface of the base gripping the cartridge;
- (b) raising the pallet above the conveyor to a machine for inserting drivers;
- (c) said machine inserting a plurality of drivers into the cartridge when the pallet is in a raised position;
- and
- (d) lowering the pallet onto the conveyor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.