Patent ID: 7303107
Filing Date: 2007-12-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical stapling apparatus comprising: a) a housing; b) a movable handle supported by the housing, the movable handle being movable through an actuation stroke; c) an elongated body extending distally from the housing and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated body having a tool assembly secured thereto, the tool assembly having a cartridge assembly housing a plurality of surgical staples and an anvil assembly movably mounted in relation to the cartridge assembly; d) an advancement assembly including an actuation shaft and a driving pawl, the actuation shaft having a toothed rack and being supported at least in part within the housing, the driving pawl being operatively associated with the movable handle and biased into engagement with the rack, wherein during the actuation stroke, the driving pawl is movable to effect advancement of the actuation shaft, the advancement of the actuation shaft effecting ejection of staples from the cartridge assembly and forming of staples against the anvil assembly; e) a locking member biased toward the toothed rack, the locking member having a first position engaging the toothed rack, to maintain the position of the toothed rack, and a second position disengaged from the toothed rack; and f) a button supported in the housing for selectively urging the locking member out of engagement with the toothed rack.