Patent ID: 7731725
Filing Date: 2010-06-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument, comprising: a handle assembly; a cartridge of surgical staples removably attached to the handle assembly and operable by the handle assembly, the cartridge comprising jaws adapted to receive one of the surgical staples and to crimp the received surgical staple; a first handle and a second handle included in the handle assembly and being pivotal at a fulcrum and relative to an axis, between an open position and a closed position; a first flange fixed to the first handle and extending inwardly toward the second handle, the first flange including portions defining a first elongate slot; a second flange fixed to the second handle and extending inwardly toward the first handle, the second flange including portions defining a second elongate slot; the first slot being disposed at an angle to the second slot and intersecting the second slot at a point of operation between the open position and the closed position of the handles, the point of operation moving longitudinally with respect to the handle assembly along the first and second slots between the open position and the closed position of the handles; and an operating pin included in the cartridge and disposed in the slots at the point of operation, the operating pin movable to selectively advance the surgical staples within the cartridge into the jaws of the cartridge as the handles move between the open position and the closed position.