Importance

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Abstract

A surgical instrument according to the present invention includes a handle, an elongated closure tube, an end effector, a pair of wireform elements which may be, for example, wireform conductors, extending through the elongated tube from the handle to the end effector and a knife blade at the end effector and a tissue stop adapted to shield the knife blade when the knife blade is in its proximal most position. In a surgical instrument according to the present invention, the wireform elements are positioned within wireform guide channels formed in the tissue stop. In a surgical instrument according to the present invention, the closure tube includes a tissue stop including a distal end and a proximal end. The tissue stop further includes a body, a neck a knife housing and knife channel, the knife channel being adapted to support the shank of the knife as it moves within the knife channel.

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First Claim