Importance

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Abstract

A surgical stapler device of the so-called pistol grip type includes a stack of staples loaded into a lower cartridge in an orientation similar to a conventional paper stapler. A former rotates and turns a leading staple 90.degree. or normal to its prior orientation in the stack of staples as the former slides between a start position and a first intermediate forward position. The former is further displaced to a second intermediate forward position wherein the staple is moved in its perpendicular orientation within the device to the forming position which in turn moves a lower anvil. The former is further displaceable to a third intermediate forward position wherein the staple is formed around a staple forming surface of the lower anvil. The former moves to the final forward position wherein the former cams the lower anvil downwardly separating the formed staple from the staple forming surface of the lower anvil and an anti-bow button of the former contacts the cross-arm of the leading staple and pushes the cross-arm of the leading staple into abutting engagement with a downwardly depending lip of an upper anvil to set the staple. After the staple has been set, the lower anvil and former return together to the anvil home position. During this return, the staple transport surface of the lower anvil ends its lateral return phase below the leading staple in the cartridge. Further retraction of the former allows the lower anvil to rise, lifting the leading staple from the cartridge level to the forming level. This surgical stapler also includes allowing for a varying mechanical advantage to accommodate the staple advance at a reasonable hand force level and provision for adjusting the amount of tissue which is drawn up or approximated within the perimeter of the formed staple.

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First Claim