Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A surgical stapler apparatus for applying an annular array of staples comprising: a tubular body portion; a staple pusher member disposed at a distal end of said body portion for expelling said annular array of staples; an anvil member positioned opposite said staple pusher member to clench said staples in tissue upon expulsion of said staples; and means for advancing at least one of said staple pusher member and said anvil member in a direction toward and away from each other between an extended position in which said staple pusher member is away from said anvil member to a position in which said staple pusher member is adjacent said anvil member, said advancing means including a cylindrical cam member having a helical groove, said helical groove having a pitch that varies along a length of said cam member for approximating at least one of said members a first distance relative to another of said members upon a first movement of said advancing means, said cam member further incrementally moving at least one of said members a subsequent second distance relative to said another member upon a second movement of said advancing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A surgical stapler apparatus for applying an annular array of staples comprising: a tubular body portion; a staple pusher member disposed at a distal end of said body portion for expelling said annular array of staples; an anvil member positioned opposite said staple pusher member to clench said staples in tissue upon expulsion of said staples; and means for advancing at least one of said staple pusher member and said anvil member in a direction toward and away from each other between an extended position in which said staple pusher member is away from said anvil member to a position in which said staple pusher member is adjacent said anvil member, said advancing means including a cylindrical cam member having a helical groove, said helical groove having a pitch that varies along a length of said cam member for approximating at least one of said members a first distance relative to another of said members upon a first movement of said advancing means, said cam member further incrementally moving at least one of said members a subsequent second distance relative to said another member upon a second movement of said advancing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tubular body portion includes a flexible member positioned coaxially therein, said flexible member being operatively coupled to said advancing means at a proximal end of said flexible member and to said anvil member at a distal end of said flexible member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said staple pusher member is positioned on a distal end of said tubular body portion, and wherein said advancing means moves said anvil member from said extended position away from said staple pusher member to said position adjacent said staple pusher member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
143 words
A surgical stapler apparatus for applying an annular array of staples comprising: a tubular body portion; a staple pusher disposed at a distal end of said body portion for expelling an annular array of staples; an anvil disposed at a distal end of the body portion and positioned opposite the array of staples to deform the staples, said anvil movable towards and away from the array of staples; and an anvil moving mechanism positioned at a proximal end portion of the apparatus for moving the anvil towards and away from the array of staples, said anvil moving mechanism including a cam member having a helical groove, said helical groove having a variable helical pitch along said cam member, said variable helical pitch including a first helical pitch and a second helical pitch, said first helical pitch being different from said second helical pitch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
143 words
A surgical stapler apparatus for applying an annular array of staples comprising: a tubular body portion; a staple pusher disposed at a distal end of said body portion for expelling an annular array of staples; an anvil disposed at a distal end of the body portion and positioned opposite the array of staples to deform the staples, said anvil movable towards and away from the array of staples; and an anvil moving mechanism positioned at a proximal end portion of the apparatus for moving the anvil towards and away from the array of staples, said anvil moving mechanism including a cam member having a helical groove, said helical groove having a variable helical pitch along said cam member, said variable helical pitch including a first helical pitch and a second helical pitch, said first helical pitch being different from said second helical pitch.