END EFFECTOR COUPLING ARRANGEMENTS FOR A SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT
First Claim
1. A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapling instrument, the surgical instrument having a handle and a shaft, wherein the shaft extends from the handle along an axis, the disposable loading unit comprising:
- a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support a staple cartridge;
an anvil including at least one staple-deforming cavity; and
an end connector configured to be operatively coupled to the surgical instrument shaft, wherein said end connector is configured to be assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the axis.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapling instrument, the surgical instrument having a handle and a shaft, wherein the shaft extends from the handle along an axis, the disposable loading unit comprising:
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a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support a staple cartridge; an anvil including at least one staple-deforming cavity; and an end connector configured to be operatively coupled to the surgical instrument shaft, wherein said end connector is configured to be assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A surgical stapling instrument for use with a disposable loading unit, the surgical instrument comprising:
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a handle; a shaft extending from said handle, wherein said shaft defines an axis; and an end connector configured to be operably coupled with the disposable loading unit, wherein said end connector is configured such that the disposable loading unit is assembled to said shaft in a direction which is transverse to said axis. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapling instrument, the surgical instrument having a handle and a shaft, wherein the shaft extends from the handle along an axis, and wherein the shaft includes a detent, the disposable loading unit comprising:
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a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support a staple cartridge; an anvil including at least one staple deforming cavity; and an end connector configured to be operatively coupled to the surgical instrument shaft in a direction along the shaft axis, wherein said end connector comprises a groove configured to cooperate with the detent and retain the disposable loading unit to the shaft.
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12. A surgical stapling instrument for use with a disposable loading unit, the surgical instrument comprising:
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a handle; a shaft extending from said handle, wherein said shaft defines an axis; and an end connector configured to be operably coupled with the disposable loading unit in a direction along said shaft axis, wherein said end connector comprises a detent assembly for engaging the disposable loading unit and holding the disposable loading unit in place after it has been assembled to said end connector. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapling instrument, the surgical instrument having a handle and a shaft, wherein the shaft extends from the handle along an axis, the disposable loading unit comprising:
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a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support a staple cartridge; an anvil including at least one staple deforming cavity; a drive member movable relative to said staple cartridge carrier and said anvil, said drive member including a cutting edge; an end connector configured to be engaged with the shaft in a direction along the shaft axis and rotated about the shaft axis to secure the disposable loading unit to the shaft; a lockout member configured to substantially prevent said drive member from moving relative to said anvil and said staple cartridge when said lockout member is in a first position, wherein said lockout member is configured to be moved into a second position when said end connector is rotated about the shaft axis to allow said drive member to be moved relative to said anvil and said staple cartridge; and a biasing member configured to hold said lockout member in said second position after the disposable loading unit has been disengaged from the surgical instrument to prevent the end connector from being reengaged with the shaft of the surgical instrument. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification