Patent ID: 7451904
Filing Date: 2008-11-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis; a lower jaw extending distally from the elongate shaft and operatively configured to upwardly dispense staples through a staple ejecting portion, the staple ejecting portion comprising at least one staple ejecting surface thereon which has a substantially flat portion and a central trench portion stepped downwardly from the substantially flat portion, wherein both the substantially flat portion and the central trench portion extend distally in the longitudinal direction to define the staple ejecting surface, wherein the staple ejecting portion further contains staples recessed below the staple electing surface, the lower jaw further comprising a step recessed into the lower jaw distal to the staple ejecting surface, the step having a step surface extending distally and parallel to the longitudinal axis, the step surface oriented with the substantially flat portion of the staple ejecting surface and stepped downwardly therefrom; an upper jaw pivotally attached to the lower jaw and having a staple forming surface thereon which has a substantially flat clamping portion and a downwardly extending rib portion with both the substantially flat clamping portion and the rib portion extending distally in the longitudinal direction and containing staple forming pockets recessed therein, the staple forming surface positionable from an open position to a closed position proximate to the staple ejecting surface of the lower jaw, wherein when the staple forming surface is in the closed position, the downwardly extending rib portion is received within the trench portion of the staple ejecting surface; a handle portion proximally attached to the elongate shaft and operatively configured to drive the staples from the lower jaw; a trigger attached for movement to the handle portion operatively configured to close the upper jaw; an upper gripping portion downwardly disposed on an angled surface of the upper jaw distal to and spaced away from the staple forming surface, the upper gripping portion oriented towards the step surface of the lower jaw; and a lower gripping portion upwardly disposed on the step surface of the lower jaw, wherein the lower gripping portion is located distal to and spaced away from the staple ejecting surface, the step surface being parallel to the longitudinal axis and oriented with the staple ejecting surface and stepped therebelow, wherein the upwardly disposed lower gripping portion is recessed below the at least one staple ejecting surface; wherein when said trigger is actuated to close the upper jaw proximate to the lower jaw, the upper gripping portion and the lower gripping portion intermesh below the staple ejecting surface at an angle.