Patent ID: 11931210
Assignee: STANDARD BARIATRICS, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 9:
10. A system for preventing unwanted tissue migration in surgical staplers, comprising:
(a) a surgical stapler having an end effector for dispensing surgical staples, wherein the end effector includes:
(i) an upper jaw the upper jaw including a proximal end and a distal end;
(ii) a lower jaw, the lower jaw including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the upper j aw is connected to the distal end of the lower jaw, and wherein the proximal end of the upper jaw is connected to the proximal end of the lower jaw;
(iii) a first tissue stop formed on the distal end of the lower jaw;
(iv) a second tissue stop formed on the proximal end of the of the lower jaw, wherein the second tissue stop and the proximal end of the upper jaw define a no tissue zone when the surgical stapler is in an open position; and
(v) a tissue cutting device; and

(b) a tissue blocker that prevents the unwanted migration of tissue into the no tissue zone during surgical procedures such that resection of unstapled tissue is prevented, wherein the tissue blocker includes a sacrificial band of compliant material, block of compliant material, or compliant balloon positioned between the proximal end of the upper jaw and the proximal end of the lower jaw.