Patent ID: 7059509
Filing Date: 2006-06-13
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical staple cartridge, comprising: a housing member having a staple-forming end; a staple movably positioned in to housing member along a substantially straight movement path; a first opening adjacent the staple-forming end of the housing member to allow access to the staple and a second opening adjacent the staple-forming end of to housing member sized to allow the staple to move through the second opening; and a feeder shoe positioned in the housing member for urging the staple along the substantially straight movement path towards the staple-forming end and having a surface angled relative to the staple-forming end of the housing member, wherein the feeder shoe moves between an engaged position with the staple-forming end of the housing member and a position away from the staple-forming end of the housing member when pressure is exerted upon the angled surface, and wherein the staple, the first opening, and the second opening are substantially vertically oriented at the staple-forming end of the housing member relative to each other and to the movement path of the staple.