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:
Dec. 12, 2006
Filed:
Dec. 20, 2004
Peter Michael Wukusick, Batesville, IN (US);
Richard F. Schwemberger, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Neil Chamberlin, Jacksonville, FL (US);
Michael L. Kruszynski, Loveland, OH (US);
Peter Michael Wukusick, Batesville, IN (US);
Richard F. Schwemberger, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Neil Chamberlin, Jacksonville, FL (US);
Michael L. Kruszynski, Loveland, OH (US);
Ethicon Endo - Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
A surgical instrument is adapted for stapling tissue in a highly controlled manner. The surgical instrument includes a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end and an end effector positioned at the distal end. The end effector is shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving a cartridge module containing a plurality of surgical fasteners. A firing mechanism is associated with the end effector and the cartridge module for selective actuation of the surgical fasteners. The cartridge module includes a cartridge housing in which the surgical fasteners are housed and an anvil shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the surgical fasteners to facilitate stapling. The cartridge housing and anvil are relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another. A retainer is removeably positioned between the anvil and the cartridge housing to prevent undesired movement of the cartridge housing toward the anvil.