Cartridge retainer for a curved cutter stapler

Abstract A surgical instrument adapted for stapling and cutting tissue in a highly controlled manner comprises a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, with a handle positioned at the proximal end and an end effector positioned at the distal end. The end effector includes a 5 U-shaped supporting structure shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving a cartridge module containing a plurality of surgical fasteners and a knife. A firing mechanism is associated with the end effector and the cartridge module for selective actuation of the surgical fasteners and knife for treatment of an individual and the cartridge module includes a cartridge housing in which the surgical fasteners and knife are housed together 10 with an anvil shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the surgical fasteners and knife to facilitate cutting and stapling. The cartridge housing and anvil are relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another and a retainer is selectively positioned between the anvil and the cartridge housing to prevent undesired movement of the cartridge housing toward the anvil. CMl coI C"M CV) C=)