Patent ID: 7588177
Filing Date: 2009-09-15
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A tool assembly for use with a surgical stapler comprising: an anvil; a cartridge assembly having at least one staple, the cartridge assembly being movable in relation to the anvil between spaced and approximated positions; a clamp member positioned adjacent a proximal end of the tool assembly, the clamp member being movable from a retracted position to an advanced position and being configured to maintain a proximal end of the anvil and cartridge assembly in the approximated position when the clamp member is in the advanced position; and a dynamic clamping member positioned within the tool assembly and movable from a retracted position through the tool assembly to an advanced position to eject staples from the cartridge assembly, the dynamic clamping member including an upper flange portion engaging a surface of the anvil and a lower flange portion engaging a surface of the cartridge assembly, at least one of the upper and lower flange portions having an arcuate cross-section along an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge assembly to define an arcuate surface positioned to engage at least one of the surface of the anvil and the surface of the cartridge assembly, the dynamic clamping member being configured to define a maximum tissue gap between the anvil and the cartridge assembly during ejection of staples from the cartridge assembly.