Patent ID: 7810690
Filing Date: 2010-10-12
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A Surgical stapling instrument comprising: a staple fastening assembly in a distal end region of the instrument, including a curved cartridge device, which comprises at least one curved open row of staples having a concave side and a convex side, and, opposite to the cartridge device, a curved anvil, which has a staple forming face and is adapted to cooperate with the cartridge device for forming the ends of the staples exiting from the cartridge device; a moving device adapted to move the anvil relatively with respect to the cartridge device, essentially in parallel relationship, from a spaced position for positioning tissue therebetween to a closed position for clamping the tissue; a staple driving device adapted to drive the staples out of the cartridge device towards the anvil; a handle in a proximal end region of the instrument, the handle is operatively connected to the staple fastening assembly and comprises actuating members coupled to force transmitters of the moving device and of the staple driving device; and a flexible backbone arranged between the handle and the staple fastening assembly, the flexible backbone guides the force transmitters of the moving device and of the staple driving device; and wherein the force transmitters of the moving device and of the staple driving device are located at the outside of the flexible backbone.