US 11,701,112 B2
Surgical stapler end effector sled having staple driver support feature
Anil K. Nalagatla, Mason, OH (US); Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); and Nicholas Fanelli, Morrow, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Nov. 4, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/88,953.
Prior Publication US 2022/0133313 A1, May 5, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/068 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/072 (2013.01) [A61B 17/0686 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07257 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
15. An apparatus comprising:
(a) a jaw, wherein the jaw defines a longitudinal axis;
(b) an anvil movable relative to the jaw;
(c) a cartridge, wherein the cartridge is insertable into the jaw, wherein the cartridge comprises:
(i) a cartridge body, and
(ii) at least one staple driver movable relative to the cartridge body; and
(d) a staple driver actuator disposed within the cartridge, wherein the staple driver actuator comprises:
(i) at least one distal cam surface configured to lift the at least one staple driver to a first height during translation of the staple driver actuator along the longitudinal axis,
(ii) at least one intermediate support surface configured to support the at least one staple driver at the first height during translation of the staple driver actuator along the longitudinal axis, and
(iii) four proximal cam surfaces spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction and configured to lift the at least one staple driver from the first height to a second height during translation of the staple driver actuator along the longitudinal axis, wherein each proximal cam surface of the four proximal cam surfaces is at least partially positioned proximally relative to the at least one distal cam surface and relative to the at least one intermediate support surface.