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:
Feb. 22, 2011
Filed:
Jul. 09, 2009
Thomas Wenchell, Durham, CT (US);
Stanislaw Marczyk, Stratford, CT (US);
Kenneth H. Whitfield, New Haven, CT (US);
Roman Czernik, Trumbull, CT (US);
Henry E. Holsten, Covington, GA (US);
Frank C. Maffei, Shelton, CT (US);
Thomas Wenchell, Durham, CT (US);
Stanislaw Marczyk, Stratford, CT (US);
Kenneth H. Whitfield, New Haven, CT (US);
Roman Czernik, Trumbull, CT (US);
Henry E. Holsten, Covington, GA (US);
Frank C. Maffei, Shelton, CT (US);
Tyco Healthcare Group LP, Norwalk, CT (US);
Abstract
A surgical stapling device for sequentially applying linear rows of surgical fasteners to body tissue and simultaneously incising tissue is provided. The surgical stapling device includes an elongated body portion, a tool assembly pivotally mounted about a pivot axis to the body portion, a flexible drive assembly, and a support member that is positioned on opposite sides of the pivot axis The drive assembly is slidably positioned adjacent the support member The support member inhibits outward buckling of the drive assembly during actuation of the device especially when the tool assembly is articulated.