Patent ID: 11963681
Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
(a) a shaft; and
(b) an end effector extending distally from the shaft, wherein the end effector comprises:
(i) a first jaw,
(ii) a second jaw having an anvil, wherein the first and second jaws are movable relative to one another between an open configuration and a closed configuration,
(iii) a replaceable cartridge configured to a selectively couple with the first jaw, wherein the replaceable cartridge comprises:
(A) a cartridge deck defining a plurality of staple openings, and
(B) a plurality of staples each housed within a respective staple opening, wherein the replaceable cartridge is operable to eject the staples from the staple openings,

(iv) a replaceable cartridge geometry located proximally relative to the plurality of staple openings, and
(v) an anvil geometry positioned to exert a compressive force on the replaceable cartridge geometry and thereby drive the replaceable cartridge in a direction away from the second jaw and into the first jaw to thereby seat the replaceable cartridge within the first jaw in response to the first and second jaws moving toward the closed configuration.