US 20110036887A1
(i9) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication oo) Pub. No.: US 2011/0036887 Al
Zemlok et al. (43) Pub. Date: Feb. 17,2011
CM
(54) SURGICAL STAPLING APPARATUS
(75) Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, Prospect, CT (US); Adam J. Ross, Prospect, CT (US); Russell Pribanic, New
Milford, CT (US)
Correspondence Address:
Tyco Healthcare Group LP
d/b/a Covidien
555 Long Wharf Drive, Mail Stop 8-N1, Legal
Department
New Haven, CT 06511 (US) (73) Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
(21) Appl.No.: 12/796,270
(22) Filed: Jun. 8, 2010
Related U.S. Application Data
(60) Provisional application No. 61/232,826, filed on Aug. 11, 2009.
Publication Classification
(51) Int. CI.
A61B 17/068 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. CI 227/175.1
(57) ABSTRACT
A surgical stapling apparatus having a housing with an actuator and an elongated member extending from the housing. An end effector is disposed on one end of the elongated member. The end effector houses a plurality of fasteners that are opera tively coupled to a plurality of pusher members. An actuation mechanism is operatively coupled to the actuator; the actuation mechanism includes a longitudinally translatable drive member and an actuation sled. The actuation sled is configured for engaging the plurality of pusher members. A pressure responsive element is also disposed in one of the jaws. The pressure responsive element communicates a signal to a controller. The signal is representative of pressure applied to the pressure responsive element. The controller is configured to activate a feedback response.
