Patent ID: 11903582
Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 12:
13. A stapling assembly, comprising:
a fastener cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the cartridge body comprises a proximal cartridge alignment feature and a distal cartridge alignment feature;
fasteners removably positioned in the cartridge body; and
drivers movably supporting the fasteners;

a channel dimensioned to receive the fastener cartridge, wherein the channel comprises a sidewall comprising a proximal channel alignment feature and a distal channel alignment feature positioned to receive the distal cartridge alignment feature upon positioning the proximal cartridge alignment feature in abutting engagement with the proximal channel alignment feature and moving the fastener cartridge along an insertion axis to a first position in the channel, wherein the insertion axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and
a spring configured to bias the fastener cartridge distally within the channel along the longitudinal axis from the first position to a fully seated position, wherein the spring further comprises:
a first end mounted to the distal cartridge alignment feature;
a second end opposite the first end; and
an S-curve intermediate the first end and the second end.