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:
Jun. 30, 1998
Filed:
Apr. 01, 1996
Roy D Gravener, Fairfield, CT (US);
United States Surgical Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue includes an alignment pin assembly having an alignment pin and a corresponding retainer. In a preferred embodiment the alignment pin has a flange with a tissue abutment surface and a circumferential detent. The retainer is preferably a ring shaped member having a tissue abutment surface and which engages with the alignment. The pin and retainer are releasably held in proximity to the distal end of the apparatus within one or the other of the cartridge or anvil member of the apparatus and are simultaneously engaged with each other and applied to body tissue upon firing of the apparatus. Visual inspection of the body tissue after the operation provides an indication as to whether the apparatus was properly aligned during firing.