Patent ID: 8360297
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument, comprising: a cartridge supporting assembly configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein, said cartridge supporting assembly having at least one elongated slot therein wherein each said slot comprises at least one wall having a series of detents formed as notches therein to define a plurality of closed positions; and an anvil having at least one mounting portion configured to facilitate selective movement between an open position and the closed positions, wherein each said mounting portion engages at least one detent of said series of detents to define one closed position of said closed positions, wherein at least one of said mounting portions corresponds to one said series of detents and is configured for engagement with any detent therein to automatically adjust a tissue clamping space between said anvil and said cartridge supporting assembly in response to a thickness of tissue clamped between a cartridge supported in said cartridge supporting assembly and said anvil.