Surgical stapler

Claim 2

A surgical stapler comprising: (a) first and second structural members each having: (i) a handle portion having first and second ends; (ii) a jaw portion having first and second ends; and (iii) pivot means located proximate said second ends of said handle portions for free engagement and disengagement, said pivot means, when engaged, permitting pivotal movement of said structural members between a closed position wherein said jaw portions are in a closely spaced relationship to an open position wherein said jaw portions are spaced further apart; (b) a locking member having first and second ends, said locking member being pivotally connected to said first structural member for pivotal movement relative thereto between a first position wherein said locking member is generally aligned with said first structural member and a second position wherein said second end of said locking member is spaced apart from said second end of said first structural member, said locking member being engageable with said second structural member and functioning upon movement from said second position toward said first position to forcefully move said first and second structural members toward said closed position; (c) stapling means, including a staple cartridge carrying a plurality of staples, removably connected to one of said first and second structural members, for stapling together tissue disposed between said jaw portions of said structural members as said structural members are moved into said closed position; (d) anvil means connected to the other of said first and second structural members for forming said staples carried by said staple cartridge; and (e) jaw stabilizer means for restricting bending of said handle portions of said structural members as the tissue disposed between said jaw portions thereof is compressed as a result of said structural members moving toward said closed position, said jaw stabilizer means being connected to one of said stapling means and said anvil means and comprising a spacer segment being disposed intermediate said handle portions of said structural members as said structural members move toward said closed position.

Claim 3

A surgical stapler as defined in claim 1 in which said spacer segment comprises a rigid element.

Claim 4

A surgical stapler as defined in claim 1 in which said spacer segment comprises a crushable element.

Claim 5

A surgical stapler comprising: (a) first and second structural members each having: (i) a handle portion having first and second ends; (ii) a jaw portion having first and second ends; and (iii) pivot means located proximate said second ends of said handle portions for free engagement and disengagement, said pivot means, when engaged, permitting pivotal movement of said structural members between a closed position wherein said jaw portions are in a closely spaced relationship to an open position wherein said jaw portions are spaced further apart; (b) a locking member having first and second ends, said locking member being pivotally connected to said first structural member for pivotal movement relative thereto between a first position wherein said locking member is generally aligned with said first structural member and a second position wherein said second end of said locking member is spaced apart from said second end of said first structural member, said locking member being engageable with said second structural member and functioning upon movement from said second position toward said first position to forcefully move said first and second structural members toward said closed position; (c) stapling means, including a staple cartridge carrying a plurality of staples, removably connected to one of said first and second structural members, for stapling together tissue disposed between said jaw portions of said structural members as said structural members are moved into said closed position, said staple cartridge comprising a central sleeve portion having a groove; (d) anvil means connected to the other of said first and second structural members for forming said staples carried by said staple cartridge; and (e) jaw stabilizer means for restricting bending of said handle portions of said structural members as the tissue disposed between said jaw portions thereof is compressed as a result of said structural members moving toward said closed position, said jaw stabilizer means being connected to one of said stapling means and said anvil means and comprising a stabilizing member connected to said staple cartridge, said stabilizer member having a spacer segment extending between said handle portions of said structural members as said structural members move toward said closed position, said stabilizing member further including a tongue portion receivable within said groove of said central sleeve portion of said stable cartridge, said spacer segment being connected to and extending from said tongue portion.

Claim 6

A surgical stapler comprising: (a) first and second structural members each having: (i) a handle portion having first and second ends; (ii) a jaw portion having first and second ends; and (iii) pivot means located proximate said second ends of said handle portions for free engagement and disengagement, said pivot means, when engaged, permitting pivotal movement of said structural members between a closed position wherein said jaw portions are in a closely spaced relationship to an open position wherein said jaw portions are spaced further apart; (b) a locking member having first and second ends, said locking member being pivotally connected to said first structural member for pivotal movement relative thereto between a first position wherein said locking member is generally aligned with said first structural member and a second position wherein said second end of said locking member is spaced apart from said second end of said first structural member, said locking member being engageable with said second structural member and functioning upon movement from said second position toward said first position to forcefully move said first and second structural members toward said closed position; (c) stapling means, including a staple cartridge carrying a plurality of staples, removably connected to one of said first and second structural members, for stapling together tissue disposed between said jaw portions of said structural members as said structural members are moved into said closed position, said staple cartridge comprising a central sleeve portion having a groove; (d) anvil means connected to the other of said first and second structural members for forming said staples carried by said staple cartridge; and (e) jaw stabilizer means for restricting bending of said handle portions of said structural members as the tissue disposed between said jaw portions thereof is compressed as a result of said structural members moving toward said closed position, said jaw stabilizer means being connected to one of said stapling means and said anvil means and comprising a stabilizing member connected to said staple cartridge, said stabilizer member having a spacer segment extending between said handle portions of said structural members as said structural members move toward said closed position, said stabilizing member further including a tongue portion receivable within said groove of said central sleeve portion of said stable cartridge, said spacer segment being connected to and extending from said tongue portion.