Patent ID: 6315183
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
In a disposable cartridge having a plurality of staples for joining together opposite sides of an incision, the improvement comprising: said cartridge having a pair of generally rectangular shaped members with telescopically engaging outer portions, one of said members being a staple retaining member for storing said plurality of staples and the other of said members being a staple unloading member in partial engagement with said staple retaining member for unloading said staples from said staple retaining member; said staple retaining member having a plurality of slotted apertures for storing said staples, each of said apertures having a means for preventing a premature unloading of one of said staples from said staple retaining member during a positioning of said cartridge on said opposite sides of said incision, said means comprising said slotted apertures having upper portions which are slightly enlarged relative to lower portions to require a force for unloading said staples from said staple retaining member which is higher than a force which is required for assembling said staple retaining member to said staple unloading member.