surgical stapler with variable height drivers for uniform staple formation

摘要

The present invention relates to a surgical instrument and method for forming a plurality of staples in a patient's tissue including a body having a trigger mechanism, a drive shaft assembly, an anvil end actuator, and a cartridge received on the end actuator that is operatively connected to the trigger mechanism. the cartridge includes a cartridge housing having a plurality of staple slots, a plurality of staples respectively positioned within the plurality of staple slots, and a drive assembly. the drive assembly has a plurality of actuators, respectively, supporting the plurality of clips within the plurality of clip slots. The firing mechanism is configured to selectively move the plurality of actuators distally toward the anvil to form the plurality of clamps therebetween. at least one actuator of the plurality of actuators has a variable distal height relative to at least one other actuator of the plurality of actuators in a predetermined variable height pattern.