INSTRUMENT FOR LIGATING, SUTURING AND DIVIDING ORGANIC TUBULAR STRUCTURES

摘要

A medical instrument and associated cartridge for ligating an organic tubular structure, for suturing this structure in two places with a pair of sterilized staples and for dividing the tubular structure intermediate the suturing staples. The instrument is provided with a variable cam so that the ligating, suturing and dividing stages are all performed with uniform effort from the operating surgeon. The instrument is also provided with a counter for indicating the number of staples remaining in the cartridge. The novel cartridge ensures that the stapled and severed tubular structures are ejected from the instrument after the operation, operates smoothly without binding, and includes a lock which holds the elements of the cartridge in fixed positions during all stages of transit.