Patent ID: 10433843

Abstract:
A surgical apparatus includes a cartridge; a staple strip; and staples affixed to the staple strip. Each staple is affixed to the staple strip at a joint. The staples on each staple strip are arranged in rows. The staples in adjacent rows are staggered. A wedge assembly includes a plurality of wedges spaced from one another, each wedge including a shear bump on its upper surface. Each shear bump has a first length. The shear bumps are aligned with one another within a distance equal to the first length. The wedge assembly is slidable relative to the staples to cause at least one wedge to make contact with one of the staples to rotate the staple about the joint, and then break the staple from the joint with the staple strip upon contact between the at least one of the staples and the shear bump of the wedge.