Pin alignment assembly for surgical stapler

Abstract

An alignment pin assembly for a surgical stapler includes an alignment pin configured to be advanced prior to actuation of a stapler and an end cap defining an opening configured to receive the alignment pin prior to actuation of the stapler. The end cap includes an alignment pin contact area formed about the opening configured to direct the alignment pin into the opening.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A surgical stapler comprising:
 an alignment pin movable from a retracted position to an advanced position; and   an anvil assembly defining an opening positioned to receive the alignment pin, the anvil assembly including a boss feature positioned to frictionally engage the alignment pin with an interference fit when the alignment pin is in the advanced position to frictionally retain the alignment pin in the advanced position.   
     
     
         21 . The surgical stapler of  claim 20 , wherein the anvil assembly include an alignment pin contact area positioned to direct the alignment pin into the opening. 
     
     
         22 . The surgical stapler of  claim 21 , wherein the alignment pin contact area defines a substantially V-shaped profile. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical stapler of  claim 21 , wherein the alignment pin contact area defines curved surfaces. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical stapler of  claim 21 , wherein the alignment pin contact area defines an angle of one-hundred fifty degrees to one-hundred seventy degrees. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical stapler of  claim 20 , wherein anvil assembly includes an end cap and the end cap defines the opening. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical stapler of  claim 25 , wherein the anvil assembly further includes an anvil and the end cap is integrally formed with the anvil. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical stapler of  claim 20 , wherein the alignment pin is manually advanceable. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical stapler of  claim 20 , wherein the boss feature includes at least a first boss member and a second boss member and each of the boss members includes an alignment pin engagement surface. 
     
     
         29 . A surgical stapler comprising:
 a handle assembly;   an elongated body extending from the handle assembly;   a cartridge assembly mounted on a distal end of the elongated body;   an alignment pin supported on the cartridge assembly and movable from a retracted position to an advance position; and   an anvil assembly positioned distal of the cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly defining an opening positioned to receive the alignment pin and including a distally extending retaining feature positioned to frictionally engage and frictionally retain the alignment pin with an interference fit when the alignment pin is advanced from the cartridge assembly.   
     
     
         30 . The surgical stapler of  claim 29 , wherein the anvil assembly includes an alignment pin contact area. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical stapler of  claim 30 , wherein alignment pin contact area defines a substantially V-shaped profile. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical stapler of  claim 29 , wherein the alignment pin contact area defines a curved profile. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical stapler of  claim 30 , wherein the alignment pin contact area defines an angle of one-hundred fifty degrees to one-hundred seventy degrees. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical stapler of  claim 29 , wherein the retaining feature includes at least one boss member. 
     
     
         35 . The surgical stapler of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one boss member includes ridges. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical stapler of  claim 29 , wherein the opening is formed on an end cap of the anvil assembly. 
     
     
         37 . The surgical stapler of  claim 29 , wherein the anvil assembly defines anvil depressions and the opening is spaced from the anvil depressions. 
     
     
         38 . The surgical stapler of  claim 30 , wherein the alignment pin contact area has a width and the surgical stapler has a tolerance equal to approximately half of the width, thereby enabling the alignment pin to be directed within the opening if a lateral misalignment from the opening is less than or equal to a distance measuring up to approximately half of the width of the alignment pin contact area. 
     
     
         39 . An alignment pin assembly for a surgical stapler comprising:
 an alignment pin movable between a retracted position and an advanced position; and an end cap defining an opening positioned to receive the alignment pin, wherein the end cap includes a boss feature positioned to frictionally engage and frictionally retain the alignment pin with an interference fit when the alignment pin is moved to the advanced position.