Patent ID: 7334717
Filing Date: 2008-02-26
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical fastener applying apparatus comprising: an anvil half-section having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion including an anvil which defines a fastener forming surface against which surgical fasteners are driven; a cartridge receiving half-section having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the cartridge receiving half-section being configured and adapted to releasably mate with the anvil half-section, the surgical fastener applying apparatus having an assembled configuration wherein the anvil half-section and the cartridge receiving half-section are positioned in juxtaposed alignment with each other, the anvil half-section and the cartridge receiving half-section being relatively movable from an unclamped position to a fully clamped position to clamp tissue therebetween, the cartridge half-section including a pivotable clamping lever, wherein movement of the clamping lever from a first position to a second position moves the cartridge receiving and anvil half-sections to the fully clamped position, the anvil half-section and the cartridge half-section defining a gap between their respective distal ends when in the fully clamped position; and a gap adjustment mechanism operatively associated between the anvil half-section and the cartridge receiving half-section, wherein the gap adjustment mechanism defines an axis of rotation that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of surgical fastener applying apparatus, and wherein the gap adjustment mechanism is configured and adapted to vary the size of the gap between the distal end portions of the anvil half-section and the cartridge receiving half-section.