Abstract: A clip cartridge for supporting a plurality of clips is provided. The clip cartridge includes a body defining a plurality of clip chambers each configured and dimensioned to receive a clip therein. Interlocking structure is provided on each end of the cartridge to facilitate attachment of a multiplicity of clip cartridges together. Clip cartridges housing different size clips have substantially identical external dimensions and internal dimensions which accommodate for the different size clips. The uniformity of the external dimensions of the cartridges housing different size clips facilitates attachment of the cartridges housing different size clips.

Abstract: A malleable, bioabsorbable polymeric staple includes a back span with two legs depending perpendicularly therefrom that are deformed toward each other initially and then upwardly toward the back span such that end points on each leg extends to the side and past the back span. The staple has a noncircular cross-sectional shape. A surgical staple-deforming anvil for deforming the staples has a staple-receiving face formed with a pair of elongated, non-collinear pocket-like depressions each having an entry end lying on a longitudinal axis parallel to the back span of the staple, and an exit end. The respective exit ends of the pocket depressions are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the legs of a staple driven toward the anvil and received in the pocket depressions are initially bent toward each other and then steered upwardly toward opposite sides of the back span.

Abstract: An electrical switch construction having a frame carrying a movable switch blade and a latch structure for latching the switch blade in one position when the latch structure is latched and for causing the switch blade to be in another position when the latch structure is unlatched, the latch structure comprising an armature movably carried by the frame and a cam movably carried by the frame and being operatively associated with the switch blade to hold the switch blade in the one position thereof when the cam is latched by the armature being in a latching position thereof and being moved to an unlatching position from the cam when the armature is actuated by an electromagnetic actuator. The armature comprises two members secured together, one of the members being formed of plastic material and having a hook end for latching with the cam and the other of the members being formed of metal to be magnetically attracted by the actuator.