Importance

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Abstract

A detachable tissue measuring cartridge is disclosed for use with a surgical actuating apparatus such as, for example a surgical stapling apparatus. In one embodiment of the tissue measuring cartridge a longitudinally movable actuating structure is utilized to drive a tissue measuring block, located in a housing of the cartridge, upwardly towards an opposing anvil member associated with the surgical apparatus to capture a tissue section therebetween. The thickness of the tissue captured between the anvil member and the tissue measuring block is measured by the amount of rise of the tissue measuring block out of the cartridge housing. Gradation lines may be provided on the sides of the block to give a visual indication of the tissue thickness. In an alternate embodiment, a tissue measuring block is initially disposed upwardly within a cartridge housing. As an anvil member is moved toward the tissue measuring block to capture a tissue section therebetween, the captured tissue forces the block down into the cartridge housing to again generate an indication of the tissue thickness. Various spring members may be provided to bias the tissue measuring blocks either upwardly or downwardly within the various cartridge housings. The embodiments of the tissue measuring cartridge may be provided alone or in combination with a surgical stapling or cutting apparatus in the form of a kit.

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First Claim