SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT

摘要

A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.

主权项

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
a handle, comprising:
a closure system configured to generate a closing motion when actuated;a closure release system configured to releasably hold said closure system in an actuated condition; anda firing system configured to generate a firing motion when actuated; a shaft extending from said handle; an articulation joint; and an end effector movable relative to said shaft about said articulation joint.