LINEAR STAPLER
A linear stapler comprises a support base having a proximal end and a distal end; a trigger located at the proximal end of the support base; an end effector located at the distal end of the support base, fired by the trigger and including a cartridge. The cartridge comprises a cartridge body. The cartridge body includes staple slots for accommodating staples; and a cartridge lockout which is forced into an open position to abut against an outer side of a staple driver when the cartridge is not fired and which springs back toward the inside direction of the cartridge body after the staples in the cartridge are fired by the staple driver. Another linear stapler comprises a support base having a proximal end and a distal end; a trigger located at the proximal end of the support base; an end effector located at the distal end of the support base, fired by the trigger and including a cartridge, the cartridge comprising a cartridge body including a spent cartridge indicator.
1 . A linear stapler comprising:
a support base having a proximal end and a distal end;
a trigger located at the proximal end of the support base;
an end effector located at the distal end of the support base, fired by the trigger and including a cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body including:
staple slots for accommodating staples; and
a cartridge lockout which is forced into an open position to abut against an outer side of a staple driver when the cartridge is not fired and which springs back toward the inside direction of the cartridge body after the staples in the cartridge are fired by the staple driver.
2 . The linear stapler of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge lockout comprises one or more deflecting features arranged on a wall of the cartridge body and extending proximally.
3 . The linear stapler of claim 2 , wherein the deflecting features are molded integrally with the cartridge body.
4 . The linear stapler of claim 2 , wherein the deflecting features are manufactured separately and attached subsequently to the cartridge body.
5 . The linear stapler of claim 2 , wherein the deflecting features are made of polymer or metal.
6 . The linear stapler of claim 2 , wherein the deflecting features are leaf springs.
7 . The linear stapler of claim 7 , wherein the deflecting features each comprise an enlarged proximal end.
8 . A linear stapler comprising:
a support base having a proximal end and a distal end;
a trigger located at the proximal end of the support base;
an end effector located at the distal end of the support base, fired by the trigger and including a cartridge, the cartridge comprising a cartridge body including a spent cartridge indicator.
9 . The linear stapler of claim 8 , wherein the spent cartridge indicator comprises an indicator window formed in the cartridge body and an indicator feature formed on a staple driver for diving staples in the cartridge, after the cartridge is fired, the indicator window displays the indicator feature.
10 . The linear stapler of claim 9 , wherein the indicator feature is color or a mark.