Abstract: A stapling cartridge assembly for a circular stapling instrument includes a casing, a staple driver, and a blade. The staple driver is receivable within the casing and configured to move within the casing from a pre-fired position to a fired position. The blade is attachable to the staple driver. The blade includes a cutting edge and a breakaway washer attachment member for fixedly attaching to a breakaway washer when the staple driver is moved from the pre-fired position to the fired position.

Abstract: A stapling cartridge assembly for a circular stapling instrument includes a casing, a staple driver, and a blade. The staple driver is receivable within the casing and configured to move within the casing from a pre-fired position to a fired position. The blade is attachable to the staple driver. The blade includes a cutting edge and a breakaway washer attachment member for fixedly attaching to a breakaway washer when the staple driver is moved from the pre-fired position to the fired position.

Abstract: An articulating surgical stapler having a proximal end and a distal end includes a handle at the proximal end and an end effector at the distal end for selective articulation to improve access to tissue requiring treatment and ease of use of the present linear surgical stapler. A support shaft connects the handle to the end effector. An articulation mechanism is positioned between the support shaft and the end effector permitting selective movement of the end effector relative to the support shaft.

Abstract: A linear surgical stapler adapted for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue includes an anvil structure and a cartridge housing containing a plurality of surgical fasteners. The cartridge housing and anvil structure are relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another. A firing mechanism is associated with the cartridge housing for ejecting the surgical fasteners from the cartridge housing to be driven against the anvil structure. A lockout mechanism interacts with the cartridge housing for selective activation and deactivation. The lockout mechanism includes a swing gate tab secured to the cartridge housing at a position adjacent a lockout lever, such that firing of the linear surgical stapler rotates the swing gate tab releasing the lockout lever for preventing further firing of the used cartridge housing.

Abstract: A cover for a surgical stapler includes a cover body shaped and dimensioned for fitting about a shaft of a surgical stapler, the cover body having a substantially smooth outer surface and a recessed section shaped and dimensioned for positioning about a surgical stapler.

Abstract: A rotating surgical stapler having a proximal end and a distal end includes a handle at the proximal end and an end effector at the distal end for selective rotation to improve access to tissue requiring treatment and ease of use of the present linear surgical stapler. A support shaft connects the handle to the end effector and includes a longitudinal axis. The end effector is coupled to the support shaft for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the stapler.

Abstract: A surgical instrument adapted for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue includes a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end. The instrument also includes a cartridge housing and an anvil. The cartridge housing and anvil are relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another, and the cartridge housing includes a knife adapted for cutting tissue by moving between the cartridge housing and the anvil. A firing mechanism is associated with the cartridge housing for selective actuation. The instrument also includes a tissue retention feature having an upper member and a lower member maintaining tissue between the cartridge housing and the anvil during treatment, wherein the upper and lower members respectively include channels associated with the knife for guiding it between the cartridge housing and the anvil.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is adapted for stapling tissue in a highly controlled manner. The surgical instrument includes a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end and an end effector positioned at the distal end. The end effector is shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving a cartridge module containing a plurality of surgical fasteners. A firing mechanism is associated with the end effector and the cartridge module for selective actuation of the surgical fasteners. The cartridge module includes a cartridge housing in which the surgical fasteners are housed and an anvil shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the surgical fasteners to facilitate stapling. The cartridge housing and anvil are relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for excising a targeted tissue mass to be biopsied from adjacent bodily tissue on a surgical patient is disclosed. The instrument has an elongated tube and a tissue penetrating spiral having a spiral lumen therethrough mounted within the elongated tube for rotational movement. When the spiral is rotated, it penetrates distally into the targeted tissue mass. The mass is received in the spiral lumen for subsequent excision of the mass to be biopsied. A large biopsy sample can be obtained because of the ample space within the lumen of the tissue penetrating spiral. Since a large biopsy sample can be taken, the number of samples which need to be taken is minimized, and the consequent trauma to the patient is significantly reduced.