Patent attributes
The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument, such as a tissue sealing instrument, with an elongate shaft and an end effector. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw that includes a staple cartridge with a plurality of staples for engaging tissue. The instrument further includes a drive member for closing the jaws and engaging the staples, and an actuation mechanism, such as a coil, in contact with the drive member. The actuation mechanism is configured to translate the drive member distally through the first jaw (instead of through the staple cartridge as in conventional surgical stapling instruments). Eliminating the internal channel for the actuation coil from the staple cartridge provides more space in the cartridge for the staples, allowing for the use of taller staples and/or a more compact and maneuverable instrument.
