Patent ID: 7207168
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: A61B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for inserting at least one driver into at least one pocket formed in a surgical staple cartridge, the apparatus comprising: (a) a base; (b) a cartridge-receiving plate rigidly and adjustably mounted to said base, the cartridge-receiving plate having a channel configured to receive a cartridge; (c) a driver guide fixture rigidly mounted to the base adjacent the channel of the cartridge-receiving plate, the guide fixture having a passage formed therein to receive and guide said at least one driver into the cartridge during use, said guide fixture passage having (d) a cutter rigidly mounted to said base adjacent the channel of the cartridge-receiving plate, the cutter having at least one sharp edge for severing said at least one driver from a driver holder, said at least one sharp edge disposed at an edge of the passage of the driver guide fixture, wherein the cutter is removable from the base separate from the driver guide fixture; and (e) a plunger apparatus having an element aligned with the fixture passage and configured to force the driver toward the fixture passage, thereby causing the driver holder to engage the sharp edge of the cutter and separate the driver from the driver holder, the driver continuing on into said at least one pocket of the cartridge.