US 12,295,579 B2
Features to align and close linear surgical stapler
Jason Jones, Cincinnati, OH (US); Michael J. Stokes, Cincinnati, OH (US); Chester O. Baxter, III, Loveland, OH (US); Andrew T. Beckman, Cincinnati, OH (US); Anil K. Nalagatla, Mason, OH (US); and Robert L. Koch, Cincinnati, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Jan. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/162,641.
Application 17/162,641 is a continuation of application No. 15/889,374, filed on Feb. 6, 2018, granted, now 10,932,781.
Prior Publication US 2021/0251631 A1, Aug. 19, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 17/28 (2006.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/11 (2006.01); A61B 17/115 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/1114 (2013.01) [A61B 17/07207 (2013.01); A61B 17/115 (2013.01); A61B 17/2833 (2013.01); A61B 17/2841 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00477 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07285 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical stapler comprising:
(a) a first elongate member extending longitudinally between a first proximal portion configured to be gripped by a user and a first distal portion configured to support a first stapling surface;
(b) a second elongate member extending longitudinally between a second proximal portion configured to be gripped by a user and a second distal portion configured to support a second stapling surface, wherein the second stapling surface is configured to cooperate with the first stapling surface to staple tissue with a plurality of staples;
(c) a link, wherein a first end of the link is rotatably coupled to the first elongate member at a first location, wherein a second end of the link is rotatably coupled to the second elongate member at a second location longitudinally offset from the first location; and
(d) a clamp member pivotably coupled with one of the first elongate member or the second elongate member and configured to be gripped by a user and pivoted relative to the first and second elongate members to drive the first and second elongate members together from an open position toward a closed position in which the first and second elongate members are clamped together by the clamp member to clamp tissue between the first and second stapling surfaces,
wherein the link is configured to guide movement of the first and second elongate members relative to one another between the open position and the closed position, wherein in the open position the first and second distal portions are spaced apart from one another, wherein in the closed position the first and second distal portions confront one another to clamp tissue,
wherein the first and second elongate members are configured to remain coupled with one another via the link as the first and second elongate members move longitudinally relative to one another when transitioning between the open position and the closed position.