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US 7,905,381 B2Granted
Surgical stapling instrument with cutting member arrangement
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorsChester O. Baxter, III, James J. Bedi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surgical stapling instrument including a first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a cutting member. In at least one form of the invention, the surgical stapling instrument can further include a housing which can at least partially extend over and/or around the cutting member. In various embodiments, the housing can at least partially cover the cutting member when the first and second jaw members are detached from one another, yet permit the cutting member to be moved relative to the first and second jaw members during use.
Claims28
A staple cartridge assembly for use with a stapler, said staple cartridge assembly comprising:
- a staple cartridge body configured to be removably assembled to the stapler, wherein said staple cartridge body comprises:
- a top surface;
- a channel;
- a housing;
- an attachment portion configured to be attached to the stapler;
- and
- at least one staple cavity;
- and
- a cutting member positioned within said staple cartridge body prior to said staple cartridge body being assembled to the stapler, wherein at least a top portion of said cutting member extends above said top surface when said cutting member is in said channel, wherein said cutting member comprises an engagement portion configured to be engaged with a firing member of the stapler, wherein said cutting member is configured to be slid between a proximal position and a distal position within said channel;
- and
- wherein said top portion of said cutting member is positioned underneath said housing when said cutting member is in said proximal position.
8 more elements
A staple cartridge assembly for use with a stapler, said staple cartridge assembly, comprising:
- a staple cartridge body configured to be removably assembled to the stapler, wherein said staple cartridge body comprises:
- a deck;
- a channel;
- a housing;
- an attachment portion configured to be attached to the stapler;
- and
- at least one staple cavity;
- a cutting member positioned within said staple cartridge body prior to said staple cartridge body being assembled to the stapler, wherein an exposed portion of said cutting member extends above said deck when said cutting member is in said channel, wherein said cutting member comprises an engagement portion configured to be engaged with a firing member of the stapler, and wherein said cutting member is configured to be slid between a first position and a second position within said channel;
- and
- wherein said exposed portion of said cutting member is positioned within said housing when said cutting member is in said first position.
7 more elements
A staple cartridge, comprising:
- a staple cartridge body configured to be removably assembled to a stapler, wherein said staple cartridge body comprises:
- at least one staple cavity;
- a first portion;
- a second portion;
- a channel positioned intermediate said first portion and said second portion, wherein said channel is configured to receive a cutting member such that the cutting member can be slid between a first position and a second position;
- an attachment portion configured to be attached to the stapler;
- a top surface, wherein the cutting member can extend above said top surface when the cutting member is positioned within said channel;
- a bottom surface positioned opposite said top surface;
- an opening in said bottom surface configured to receive a firing member of the stapler therein;
- and
- a housing extending from at least one of said first portion and said second portion of said staple cartridge body, wherein said housing extends over said channel.
8 more elements
A surgical stapler, comprising:
- a firing member;
- a first portion;
- a staple cartridge engaged with said first portion, wherein said staple cartridge comprises:
- a plurality of staple cavities;
- a plurality of staples, wherein each said staple is positioned in a said staple cavity;
- an opening configured to receive at least a portion of said firing member therein;
- a channel;
- and
- a cutting member comprising an engagement portion configured to be engaged with said firing member when said staple cartridge is engaged with said first portion, wherein said cutting member is configured to be slid between a first position and a second position within said channel, wherein said engagement portion is aligned with said opening when said cutting member is in said first position, and wherein at least an exposed portion of said cutting member extends above said staple cartridge when said cutting member is in said channel;
- a second portion including an anvil;
- and
- a housing extending from said staple cartridge surrounding at least a portion of said exposed portion of said cutting member when said cutting member is in said first position.
9 more elements
A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:
- a staple cartridge body configured to be attached to a jaw member of a surgical stapling instrument, said staple cartridge body including:
- a top surface;
- a channel;
- a bottom surface positioned opposite said top surface;
- an opening in said bottom surface;
- and
- at least one staple cavity;
- a cutting member positioned within said staple cartridge body prior to said staple cartridge body being attached to the jaw member, wherein at least a top portion of said cutting member extends above said top surface when said cutting member is in said channel, wherein said cutting member is configured to be slid between a proximal position and a distal position within said channel, wherein said cutting member comprises an engagement portion configured to be engaged with a firing member of the surgical stapling instrument, and wherein said engagement portion is aligned with said opening when said cutting member is in said proximal position.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.