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

Claim 25:
26. A fastening instrument, comprising:
a fastener cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end;
staple cavities;
a proximal cartridge alignment protrusion; and
a distal cartridge alignment protrusion; and

fasteners removably stored in the staple cavities;

a channel dimensioned to receive the fastener cartridge, wherein the channel comprises a sidewall comprising a proximal channel alignment recess positioned to receive the proximal cartridge alignment protrusion and a distal channel alignment recess positioned to receive the distal cartridge alignment protrusion when the proximal cartridge alignment protrusion is positioned in abutting engagement with the proximal channel alignment recess and the fastener cartridge is moved along an insertion axis to a first position in the channel, wherein the insertion axis is transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein the proximal and distal cartridge alignment protrusions are configured to cooperate with the proximal and distal channel alignment recesses, respectively, to align and constrain the fastener cartridge relative to the channel; 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 protrusion;
a second end opposite the first end; and
a curve intermediate the first end and the second end.