The ability to perform stapling and cutting proce- dures through a small incision or tube remarkably re- duces blood loss, tissue trauma and patient recovery time, contributing to improved health care practices.
Between these two extremepositions, limited longitu- dinal motion of the sleeve in the distal direction from the position illustrated in FIG. 17 is permitted, such that inclined surfaces 414, 436 exert axially inward force on collet fingers 410.
Finally, as sufficient withdrawing force is developed, the distally inclined surfaces of channel adaptor fingers 468 cause the chan- nel adaptorfingers 468 to release push plug 580, thereby permitting full disengagement of the endoscopic por- tion from the frame.
In the second described em- surgical fasteners slidably mounted therein forslid- bodiment, outer handle 472 is closed to impart longitu- dinal motion to drive tube 576, channel 329, cams 331 able movement generally transverse to said longi- tudinal axis and having a tissue engaging surface; and knife 332 to fire the staples and make an incision.
ment with said distal end of said cartridge assem- Therefore the above description should not be con- bly; strued as limitating the invention but merely as exempli- iv) means for moving said anvil member betweensaid fications of preferred embodiments thereof.