Surgical stapler with variable height drivers for uniform staple formation
US10258334B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 2015 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/07278
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surgical instrument and method for forming a plurality of staples in tissue of a patient includes a body having a firing mechanism, a shaft assembly, an end effector with an anvil, and a cartridge received within the end effector that is operatively connected to the firing mechanism. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing having a plurality of staple slots, a plurality of staples respectively positioned within the plurality of staple slots, and a driver assembly. The driver assembly has a plurality of drivers respectively supporting the plurality of staples within the plurality of staple slots. The firing mechanism is configured to selectively move the plurality of drivers distally toward the anvil for forming the plurality of staples therebetween. At least one driver of the plurality of drivers has a variable distal height relative to at least another driver of the plurality of drivers in a predetermined variable height pattern.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.