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:
Jul. 28, 1998
Filed:
Apr. 17, 1996
Claude Vidal, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Russell J Redmond, Goleta, CA (US);
Alan Plyley, Goleta, CA (US);
VIR Engineering, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Abstract
An improved surgical stapler having first and second pivotally interconnected structural members each including a handle portion and a jaw portion. The structural members are pivotally movable between a closed position wherein their jaw portions are in a closely spaced relationship to an open position wherein their jaw portions are spaced apart a substantial distance. A locking member is pivotally connected to one of the structural members for pivotal movement between a first position wherein the locking member is generally aligned with the structural member and a second position wherein the free end of the locking member is spaced apart from the outboard end of the structural member. When actuated, the locking member functions to forcefully move the structural members toward a closed position so that the tissue to be stapled can be securely clamped between the jaw portions of the instrument. A staple cartridge of novel design is removably connected to one of the first and second structural members and contains a plurality of staples for stapling together tissue disposed between the jaw portions of the instrument. A novel jaw stabilizing element is provided either on the staple cartridge or on the disposable anvil of the device for insuring proper spacing between the handle portions of the instrument and in this way functions to maintain optimum jaw closure for every tissue thickness by restricting the undesirable bending of the handle portions as the tissue to be stapled is compressed between the jaw portions.