Appeal No. 2003-1568 Page 4
Application No. 09/516,603
The independent claims on appeal (i.e., claims 1, 25, 26, 27, 31 and 34) read as
follows:
1. A surgical instrument with articulated jaw structure for capturing tissue of a
body, the surgical instrument comprising:
a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, said frame defining an
axial direction;
a first jaw having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion
of the first jaw extending from the distal end of the frame;
a second jaw having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal
portion of the second jaw extending from the distal end of the frame;
one of said first and second jaws having a staple cartridge for holding a
plurality of staples adapted to be inserted in the tissue;
the proximal portions of the first and second jaws mounted to each other
for movement in substantially parallel relation at least partially during movement
between a fully open position wherein the distal portions of the jaws are
separated for receiving tissue therebetween and an approximated position
wherein the distal portions of the jaws are closer together for capturing said
tissue, the jaws being in the fully open position when at least one of the jaws is
moved distally with respect to the frame and being in the approximated position
when at least one of the jaws is moved proximally with respect to the frame; and
an actuating mechanism including an actuating rod positioned within the frame,
the actuating rod being connected to at least one of the jaws and being movable
to move the jaws between the open and approximated positions.
25. A surgical instrument with articulated jaw structure for capturing tissue of a
body, the surgical instrument comprising:
a frame having an outer end;
a first jaw having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion
of the first jaw extending from the outer end of the frame;
a second jaw having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal
portion of the second jaw extending from the outer end of the frame;
one of said first and second jaws adapted to receive a staple cartridge for
holding a plurality of staples adapted to be inserted in the tissue;
the proximal portions of the first and second jaws mounted to each other
for movement in a substantially parallel relation at least partially during
movement between a fully open position wherein the distal portions of the jaws
are separated for receiving tissue therebetween and an approximated position
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