Patent ID: 6109500
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical stapler comprising:a) a handle assembly including an elongated barrel portion and an actuation handle mounted for manipulation through an actuation stroke cycle which includes a clamping stroke segment and a stapling stroke segment;b) an elongated body extending distally from the barrel portion of the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis;c) an elongated actuation shaft supported at least in part within the barrel portion of the handle assembly and mounted for longitudinal movement in response to manipulation of the actuation handle;d) a disposable loading unit operatively engaged at a distal end portion of the elongated body and including a staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples, an anvil mounted adjacent the staple cartridge and movable between an open position and a clamping position, and an actuator which operatively interacts with the elongated actuation shaft and is movable in a distal direction relative to the staple cartridge and anvil to effect movement of the anvil from the open position to the clamped position during said clamping stroke segment and to effect sequential ejection of the staples from the cartridge during the stapling stroke segment; ande) a lockout mechanism mounted in the disposable loading unit and including a lock mounted adjacent the actuator for longitudinal movement therewith and pivotal between an unlocked position and a locked position, fixed support structure in the disposable loading unit for supporting the lock in the unlocked position during the clamping stroke segment of the actuator and projection mounted in the disposable loading unit for engaging the lock in the loaded position upon retraction of the actuator to move the anvil to the open position after firing.