US 11,684,363 B2
Integrated tissue positioning and jaw alignment features for surgical stapler
Robert J. Simms, Liberty Township, OH (US); Douglas B. Hoffman, Harrison, OH (US); Jason E. Zerkle, Blanchester, OH (US); Charles J. Scheib, Loveland, OH (US); and Janna B. Volz, Fort Thomas, KY (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Apr. 9, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/843,953.
Application 16/843,953 is a continuation of application No. 15/335,785, filed on Oct. 27, 2016, granted, now 10,687,807.
Application 15/335,785 is a continuation of application No. 13/780,106, filed on Feb. 28, 2013, granted, now 9,517,065, issued on Dec. 23, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2020/0297342 A1, Sep. 24, 2020
Int. Cl. A61B 17/08 (2006.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/072 (2013.01) [A61B 17/068 (2013.01); A61B 17/0682 (2013.01); A61B 17/07207 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00115 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07257 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01); A61B 2090/0807 (2016.02)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
(a) a body; and
(b) an end effector in communication with the body, wherein the end effector comprises:
(i) a stapling jaw defining a longitudinal axis, the stapling jaw comprising a first distal end and a deck,
(ii) an anvil comprising a second distal, wherein the anvil is configured to pivot relative to the stapling jaw from an open configuration to a closed configuration, wherein the anvil and the deck are configured to capture tissue when the anvil is in the closed configuration, and
(iii) a stabilization assembly associated with the first distal end of the stapling jaw and the second distal end of the anvil, wherein the stabilization assembly is configured to laterally align the anvil relative to the stapling jaw, in the closed configuration, by inhibiting lateral pivotal deflection of the anvil relative to the longitudinal axis, the stabilization assembly comprising:
(A) an elongated semi-spherical groove comprising a first length and a first width, and
(B) a protrusion comprising a second length and a second width, wherein the second length is smaller than the first length, wherein the second width complements the first width such that the second width is smaller than or equal to the first width of the elongated semi-spherical groove,
wherein the protrusion is configured to slide into the elongated semi-spherical groove as the anvil pivots into the closed configuration.