Patent ID: 7997468
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical stapling instrument for surgically joining tissue, comprising: a handle portion; an endoscopic portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis; a pair of jaw members disposed adjacent a distal end of the endoscopic portion and extending generally distally therefrom, at least one of the jaw members being movable with respect to the other between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween, the pair of jaw members comprising an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly housing a plurality of surgical staples arranged to be ejected in a direction transverse to the first longitudinal axis and toward the anvil assembly; and a clamp disposed adjacent the jaw members and extending generally distally from the endoscopic portion, the clamp being movable between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue, and wherein the clamp is independently movable with respect to the jaw members.