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

Claim 0:
1. 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 can pivot in relation to one another between an open position and a closed position;
a locking member movably supported on the distal portion of the cartridge assembly, wherein the locking member is configured to move within the slot into locking engagement with the anvil in response to pivotable movement of the anvil and the cartridge assembly in relation to one another from the open position to the closed position to set a gap distance between the distal portions of the anvil and the cartridge assembly, wherein the locking member is configured to pivot relative to the cartridge assembly into locking engagement with the anvil in response to the anvil and the cartridge assembly moving toward the closed position; and
a sled slidably supported in the cartridge assembly and configured to eject staples from the cartridge assembly, wherein the sled is configured to engage the locking member to pivot the locking member out of locking engagement with the anvil after the anvil and the cartridge assembly move to the closed position.