Patent ID: 8028884
Filing Date: 2011-10-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument, comprising: an end effector including an operative tool defining a longitudinal axis, the operative tool having an anvil including an anvil tissue contacting surface and a cartridge including a first and second cartridge tissue contacting surfaces, each of the first and second cartridge contacting surfaces including retention slots for the retention of surgical fasteners therein, the anvil and the cartridge defining a first gap between the first cartridge contacting surface and the anvil tissue contacting surface and a second gap between the second cartridge tissue contacting surface and the anvil tissue contacting surface, the first gap defining a first distance between the first cartridge contacting surface and the anvil tissue contacting surface, the second gap defining a second distance between the second cartridge contacting surface and the anvil tissue contacting surface, the first distance different than the second distance, the first gap and the second gap being spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the end effector.