Patent ID: 7380695
Filing Date: 2008-06-03
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical stapling instrument comprising: a cartridge containing a plurality of staples and a wedge member, said wedge member moveable longitudinally within said cartridge to eject said staples from cartridge; a firing bar cooperatively engagable with said wedge member and longitudinally moveable in a distal direction to eject said staples; a locking mechanism for preventing distal movement of said firing bar after at least one of said staples has been ejected and said firing bar has been moved proximally a predetermined distance, wherein said wedge member biases said firing bar into an unlocked position prior to said staples being deployed and wherein said wedge member and said firing bar are not cooperatively engaged when said instrument is in a locked position; and a biasing feature which biases said firing bar in an unlocked position prior to said firing bar engaging said wedge member.