Patent ID: 6446854
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:a first handle member having a first elongated jaw member at a distal end, said first jaw member having a staple-retaining member disposed thereon; a second handle member pivotally connected to said first handle member and having a second elongated jaw member at a distal end, said second jaw member having an anvil positioned thereon for forming a staple wherein relative movement of said first and second handle members results in corresponding relative movement of said first and second jaw members to move the jaw members from an open position to a closed position; a staple pusher adapted to advance said staples one at a time into contact with said anvil to secure tissue; and a trigger operatively connected to said staple pusher when the jaw members are in the closed position, said trigger being inoperatively associated with the staple pusher when the jaw members are in the open position, said trigger being moved from operative connection to inoperative association with the staple pusher in response to movement of the jaw members from the closed to the open position.