Patent ID: 11903583
Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A stapler cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an upper surface, staple openings, a longitudinal slot exposed at the upper surface, and a guide track;
staples, wherein each of the staples is disposed in a respective one of the staple openings;
a staple pushing shuttle slidingly disposed with the cartridge body and comprising ramp portions, a guide portion, and a knife slot that extends through the guide portion, wherein the ramp portions are configured to deploy staples during a distal movement of the staple pushing shuttle, and wherein the knife slot is aligned with the longitudinal slot; and
a knife member slidingly disposed in and extending through the knife slot when the knife member is in a deployed position relative to the guide portion, wherein the knife member comprises a cutting blade and a guide track engagement feature that protrudes transversely relative to the longitudinal slot and is engaged with the guide track,
wherein the guide track is configured to position the knife member within the knife slot during a first portion of the distal movement of the staple pushing shuttle so that the cutting blade protrudes above the upper surface and reposition the knife member within the knife slot during a second portion of the distal movement of the staple pushing shuttle to retract the cutting blade below the upper surface and at least partially into the knife slot.