The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 13, 2021
Filed:
Mar. 05, 2019
Ethicon Llc, Guaynabo, PR (US);
Thomas E. Adams, Loveland, OH (US);
Anil K. Nalagatla, Mason, OH (US);
Disha V. Labhasetwar, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Barry T. Jamison, Fairfield, OH (US);
Mary R. Towers, West Chester, OH (US);
Ethicon LLC, Guaynabo, PR (US);
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.