US 9,186,137 B2 · Cartridge shipping aid

Abstract

A cartridge shipping aid is provided to retain staples within staple pockets of a staple cartridge during shipment. The cartridge shipping aid includes a base and a longitudinal rib extending perpendicularly from an underside of the base and indiscernible into a knife slot formed in a staple cartridge. One or more perpendicular keys are formed along a lower edge of the longitudinally extending rib for engagement with an underside surface of the staple cartridge. The cartridge shipping aid may additionally include sidewalls projecting perpendicularly from outer edges of the base. Projections are formed on one end of the base for engagement with associate detents formed on the staple cartridge. Grasping structure is formed adjacent one end of the base and longitudinal rib.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A staple cartridge comprising:

a channel member;
an insert disposed within the channel member, the insert including first and second projection halves defining a slot therebetween;
and
a shipping aid selectively engageable with the channel member and the insert, the shipping aid including,
a base;
a first side wall extending from a first edge of the base;
a second side wall extending from a second edge of the base, wherein the channel member is received between the first side wall and the second side wall;
and
a rib extending perpendicularly from an underside of the base and received within the slot of the insert.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

14/246,496Filed 7 Apr 2014 · continuation

Priority

10 Dec 2010

Published

US 2014/0216964 A17 Aug 2014

Granted

17 Nov 2015

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

A61B 17/068
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps
A61B 17/072
Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied…
A61B 50/30
Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers: containers…
A61B 2017/0688
Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps: packages or dispensers for surgical staplers

Family

Application12/964,898Parent of this continuation · filed 10 Dec 2010

US 2014/0216964 A1Pre-grant publication · published 7 Aug 2014

US 8,714,352 B2Parent of this continuation

US 2012/0145714 A1Published application

US 9,186,137 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Cartridge shipping aid

Life of this patent

Cartridge shipping aid

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18