SURGICAL STAPLER WITH APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING STAPLE HEIGHT

摘要

A surgical stapling instrument including a staple sled which can be advanced and/or retracted relative to first and second jaw members, wherein the staple sled can be configured to deploy staples from a staple cartridge in one of the first and second jaw members. In at least one embodiment, the other of the first and second jaw members can include an anvil having at least one forming surface which can be configured to deform the staples as they are deployed from the staple cartridge. In at least one form of the invention, the anvil can be movably adjustable relative to the staple cartridge in order to adjust the distance in which the staples are deformed. In various embodiments, the anvil can be adjusted by a slidable adjusting plate and/or a rotatable cam.

主权项

1. A surgical stapler, comprising:
a staple cartridge attachment portion configured to receive a staple cartridge; and an anvil assembly, comprising:
an anvil frame;an adjustable anvil portion comprising a positioning surface and a staple forming surface; andan adjustment member movably positionable intermediate said anvil frame and said adjustable anvil portion, wherein said adjustment member comprises a first portion comprising a first thickness and a second portion comprising a second thickness, wherein said second thickness is different than said first thickness, and wherein said adjustment member is movable between a first position and a second position to selectively position one of said first portion and said second portion intermediate said anvil frame and said positioning surface; and a detent member configured to removably lock said adjustment member in said first position and said second position.