US 12,446,876 B2
Method of surgical stapling with end effector component having a curved tip
Jason L. Harris, Lebanon, OH (US); Gregory J. Bakos, Mason, OH (US); Chester O. Baxter, III, Loveland, OH (US); and Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Feb. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/666,807.
Application 17/666,807 is a continuation of application No. 16/035,865, filed on Jul. 16, 2018, granted, now 11,272,930.
Application 16/035,865 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/435,573, filed on Feb. 17, 2017, granted, now 10,828,031, issued on Nov. 10, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0249091 A1, Aug. 11, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/28 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/064 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/072 (2013.01) [A61B 17/07207 (2013.01); A61B 17/282 (2013.01); A61B 17/2909 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0046 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00964 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0645 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07221 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07257 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07285 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2913 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2926 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2946 (2013.01); A61B 2090/0807 (2016.02)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
(a) a first jaw configured to receive a staple cartridge seated therein and having a plurality of staple apertures that house a plurality of staples, the staple cartridge having a distal end which extends beyond a distal end of the first jaw when seated therein;
(b) a second jaw having a plurality of staple forming pockets configured to form the staples, wherein the first and second jaws are configured to cooperate to clamp and staple tissue with the staples; and
(c) a tip member, wherein the tip member is coupled with the second jaw such that a proximal end of the tip member is longitudinally constrained relative to the second jaw, wherein the tip member is configured to extend along a portion of the first jaw defined by the second jaw, wherein the tip member is configured to transition relative to the second jaw between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration a distal portion of the tip member extends non-parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second jaw such that substantial deflection of the distal end toward a distal end of the first jaw is prevented by the distal end of the staple cartridge when seated therein when the first and second jaws are closed without tissue present therebetween, wherein a distal end of the tip member is configured to not extend distally beyond the distal end of the staple cartridge when seated in the first jaw in at least one of the first configuration or the second configuration, wherein the tip member is configured to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration, wherein the distal end of the tip is deflected away from the distal end of the staple cartridge, when seated in the first jaw, in response to closure of the first and second jaws onto tissue extending from the first and second jaws.