Surgical stapling instrument

Abstract

A surgical stapling instrument ( 1 ) comprises a body portion ( 2, 3 ), a handle ( 4 ) and a staple fastening assembly ( 8 ). The staple fastening assembly ( 8 ) includes a curved cartridge ( 10 ), which comprises at least one curved open row of staples, and a curved anvil ( 22 ), which is adapted to cooperate with the cartridge ( 10 ) for forming the ends of the staples exiting from the cartridge ( 10 ). The staple fastening assembly ( 8 ) is adapted to allow unobstructed access towards the concave inner faces of the cartridge ( 10 ) and the anvil ( 22 ). The cartridge ( 10 ) can be moved towards the anvil ( 22 ) from a spaced position for positioning tissue therebetween to a closed position for clamping the tissue. Preferably, a knife is contained within the cartridge ( 10 ) and is positioned such that there is at least one row of staples on at least one side of the knife.

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       19 . A method for removing tissue from a natural orifice within a body comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a tissue stapler and cutter comprising a frame having a distal end having a handle attached thereto, and a proximal end having a tissue stapling and cutting assembly attached thereto, said tissue stapling and cutting assembly including a replaceable curved cartridge having at least two curved row of staples and a curved knife for cutting therebetween, said assembly further including an anvil opposite said staples such that said assembly has an open position for disposing tissue between said staples and said anvil, and a closed position wherein said staples and said anvil are in close proximity to each other,    b. inserting said assembly into a natural body orifice;    c. disposing undesired luminal tissue between said staples and said anvil while said assembly is in its open position;    d. moving said instrument to its closed position, cutting said undesired luminal tissue away and stapling the surrounding tissue by actuating said tissue stapler and cutter;    e. removing said assembly from said orifice;    f. removing said cartridge from said frame;    g. inserting a new cartridge into said frame; and    h. repeating steps (a) through (d).    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of cutting said undesired luminal tissue away from the orifice and stapling the surrounding tissue is done substantially simultaneously.