Patent ID: 9707030
Date: 2017-07-18
CPC Classifications: A61B,Y10T

Claim:
1. A surgical end effector, comprising: first and second jaw members movable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position to clamp tissue therebetween; a first closure track formed in the first jaw member and extending along a length thereof; a second closure track formed in the second jaw member and extending along a length thereof; and a compression member configured to translate longitudinally along a length of the end effector such that a first portion of the compression member contacts the first closure track and a second portion of the compression member contacts the second closure track to apply a compression force to tissue as the compression member is advanced towards a distal end of the end effector; wherein the first closure track includes at least one sloped or curved portion such that, when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position, a distance between the first closure track and the second closure track varies along a length of the end effector, wherein the distance between the first closure track and the second closure track increases from a proximal end of the at least one sloped or curved portion to a distal end of the at least one sloped or curved portion.