Surgical stapler having a closure mechanism

A surgical stapler, comprising:

• a first handle portion comprising:
• a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge;
• and
• a latch rotatably coupled to said staple cartridge channel;
• a second handle portion comprising:
• a frame;
• an anvil;
• and
• a latch projection, wherein said first handle portion further comprises a recess configured to receive said latch projection, wherein said latch is configured to engage said latch projection and position said latch projection within said recess to move said first handle portion and said second handle portion toward one another and wherein said latch projection comprises:
• a shaft portion extending from said frame;
• an enlarged portion extending from said shaft portion;
• and
• a rotatable bearing comprising a bearing aperture, wherein said shaft portion extends through said bearing aperture, wherein said rotatable bearing is rotatable about said shaft portion, wherein said rotatable bearing is positioned intermediate said frame and said enlarged portion, and wherein said latch is configured to contact said rotatable bearing when said latch engages said latch projection;
• and
• wherein said bearing aperture comprises a circular inner profile, wherein said shaft portion comprises a circular outer profile, and wherein said circular outer profile defines an outer diameter which is slightly smaller than an inner diameter defined by said circular inner profile of said bearing aperture.

A surgical stapler, comprising:

• a first handle portion comprising:
• a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge;
• and
• a latch rotatably coupled to said staple cartridge channel;
• a second handle portion comprising:
• a frame;
• an anvil;
• and
• a latch projection, wherein said first handle portion further comprises a recess configured to receive said latch projection, wherein said latch is configured to engage said latch projection and position said latch projection within said recess to move said first handle portion and said second handle portion toward one another, and wherein said latch projection comprises:
• a shaft portion extending from said frame;
• an enlarged portion extending from said shaft portion;
• and
• a rotatable bearing comprising a bearing aperture, wherein said shaft portion extends through said bearing aperture, wherein said rotatable bearing is rotatable about said shaft portion, wherein said rotatable bearing is positioned intermediate said frame and said enlarged portion, and wherein said latch is configured to contact said rotatable bearing when said latch engages said latch projection;
• and
• wherein said bearing aperture is defined by an aperture diameter, and wherein said enlarged portion is defined by a diameter which is larger than said aperture diameter.

A surgical stapler, comprising:

• a first handle portion comprising a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge;
• a second handle portion comprising an anvil;
• a rotatable latch;
• a latch projection, wherein said latch is rotatably coupled to one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion and wherein said latch projection extends from the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is configured to engage said latch projection to move said first handle portion and said second handle portion toward one another, wherein said latch projection comprises a rotatable bearing, and wherein said latch is configured to contact said rotatable bearing when said latch engages said latch projection;
• and
• wherein said projection further comprises a shaft portion and an enlarged portion extending from said shaft portion, wherein said bearing comprises a bearing aperture, wherein said shaft portion extends through said bearing aperture, wherein said rotatable bearing is rotatable about said shaft portion, and wherein said enlarged portion is configured to retain said rotatable bearing on said shaft portion.

A surgical stapler, comprising:

• a first handle portion comprising a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge;
• a second handle portion comprising an anvil;
• a rotatable latch;
• a latch projection, wherein said latch is rotatably coupled to one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion and wherein said latch projection extends from the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is configured to engage said latch projection to move said first handle portion and said second handle portion toward one another, wherein said latch projection comprises a rotatable bearing, and wherein said latch is configured to contact said rotatable bearing when said latch engages said latch projection;
• and
• wherein said latch comprises a latch projection slot configured to receive said latch projection, wherein said latch projection slot comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall, wherein said first sidewall is positioned opposite said second sidewall, wherein said first sidewall is configured to apply a closing force to said bearing in order to move said first handle portion and said second handle portion toward one another, and wherein said second sidewall is configured to apply an opening force to said bearing in order to move said first handle portion and said second handle portion away from one another.

A stapler assembly, comprising:

• a first handle portion comprising:
• a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge;
• and
• a latch rotatably coupled to said staple cartridge channel;
• a second handle portion comprising:
• a frame;
• an anvil;
• a pivot;
• and
• a rotatable bearing having a circular drive surface, wherein said rotatable bearing is rotatably mounted onto said pivot, wherein said latch is configured to capture said rotatable bearing and slide across said circular drive surface of said rotatable bearing to position said first handle portion and said second handle portion in a closed configuration relative to one another, and wherein said rotatable bearing is configured to rotate about said pivot as said latch slides across said circular drive surface.

A stapler assembly, comprising:

• a first handle portion comprising a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge;
• a second handle portion comprising an anvil;
• a rotatable latch;
• a pivot;
• and
• a rotatable bearing having a circular drive surface, wherein said latch is rotatably coupled to one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion comprises said pivot and said rotatable bearing, wherein said rotatable bearing is rotatably mounted onto said pivot, wherein said latch is configured to catch said rotatable bearing and slide across said circular drive surface to move said first handle portion and said second handle portion toward one another, and wherein said rotatable bearing is configured to rotate about said pivot as said latch slides across said circular drive surface.