Importance

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Abstract

This stapler includes two scissors-type clamping devices which carry a disposable four-piece stapling cartridge in the form of two pairs of cooperating, arcuate stapling elements. Each device supports a cooperating pair of the stapling elements around one of two, tubular tissues, the ends of which are secured in inverted, confronting positions over operating surfaces on the respective pairs of elements by pins which project from the outer surfaces of the elements. At least one pair of the elements contains a plurality of movable staple pushers and a pair of arcuate knives, which are engagable with wedge-shaped actuators that are operated by a pair of pliers on each device. When operated by the pliers the actuators drive the staple pushers and knives substantially simultaneously toward the operating surfaces of the elements, thereby driving a circular array of staples through the everted tissue ends, and trimming away excess tissue around the outside of the circular staple array. Additional stapler pushers can be mounted in the other pair of cooperating stapler elements, if desired, to drive staples in the opposite direction through the everted tissue ends. The stapler elements are readily removable from the operating jaws of the clamping devices so that they can be discarded and replaced by new elements after each anastomosis.

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First Claim