Patent ID: 8740039
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue, the surgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly; an elongated portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis; an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, the end effector including a first jaw member and a second jaw member, at least one jaw member being movable with respect to the other jaw member between spaced and approximated positions; a stop member disposed adjacent a distal portion of the first jaw member, the stop member being pivotable about a pivot with respect to the first jaw member between a first position, a significant portion of the stop member being positioned external to the first jaw member, and a second position capturing the tissue between the first jaw member and second jaw member, the relative movement of the jaw members toward the approximated position causing at least a portion of the stop member to move toward the first jaw member.