Patent ID: 11890011
Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 7:
8. A tool assembly comprising:
an anvil having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion of the anvil defining a slot therein;
a cartridge assembly having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the cartridge assembly pivotably coupled to the proximal portion of the anvil such that the anvil and the cartridge assembly are transitionable between an open position and a closed position;
a locking member including:
a bottom end portion pivotably supported by the distal portion of the cartridge assembly; and
a top end portion configured for locking engagement with the anvil to set a gap distance between the anvil and the cartridge assembly when the anvil and cartridge assembly are in the closed position; and

a sled slidably supported in the cartridge assembly from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to sequentially eject staples from the cartridge assembly, wherein the sled is configured to engage the locking member to pivot the locking member within the slot out of locking engagement with the anvil when the actuation sled is moved to the sled advanced position.