Locking shipping wedge
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A loading unit and shipping wedge assembly comprising:
- a loading unit adapted to releasably engage a surgical instrument and including a tool assembly and a drive assembly, the drive assembly being movable from a retracted position to an advanced position to actuate the tool assembly; and
a shipping wedge configured to releasably engage the loading unit, the shipping wedge including a transverse member positioned to extend into the loading unit and engage the drive member to retain the drive member of the loading unit in the retracted position, the shipping wedge being removable from the loading unit prior to use of the loading unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A locking shipping wedge is provided and generally includes a body portion having an elongate transverse member projecting from the body portion which is engageable with a drive assembly of a loading unit. A locking mechanism is provided on the body portion of the shipping wedge which is engageable with locking structure movably mounted within the loading unit.
1409 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A loading unit and shipping wedge assembly comprising:
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a loading unit adapted to releasably engage a surgical instrument and including a tool assembly and a drive assembly, the drive assembly being movable from a retracted position to an advanced position to actuate the tool assembly; and a shipping wedge configured to releasably engage the loading unit, the shipping wedge including a transverse member positioned to extend into the loading unit and engage the drive member to retain the drive member of the loading unit in the retracted position, the shipping wedge being removable from the loading unit prior to use of the loading unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A loading unit and shipping wedge assembly comprising:
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a loading unit adapted to releasably engage a surgical instrument and including a tool assembly and a drive assembly, the drive assembly being movable from a retracted position to an advanced position to actuate the tool assembly; a shipping wedge configured to releasably engage the loading unit, the shipping wedge including a transverse member positioned to extend into the loading unit and engage the drive member to retain the drive member of the loading unit in the retracted position; and a lock plate slidably supported within the loading unit, the lock plate defining a keyhole including a locking portion and a release portion, the keyhole being dimensioned to receive the transverse member, the transverse member having a flange portion dimensioned to restrict passage of the transverse member through the locking portion of the keyhole but to permit passage of the transverse member through the release portion of the keyhole, wherein the lock plate is movable from a first position in which the locking portion of the keyhole is aligned with the transverse member to prevent separation of the shipping wedge from the loading unit to a second position in which the release portion of the keyhole is aligned with the transverse member to permit separation of the shipping wedge from the loading unit. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A loading unit and shipping wedge assembly comprising:
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a loading unit adapted to releasably engage a surgical instrument and including a tool assembly and a drive assembly, the drive assembly being movable from a retracted position to an advanced position to actuate the tool assembly; and a shipping wedge configured to releasably engage the loading unit, the shipping wedge including a transverse member positioned to extend into the loading unit and engage the drive member to retain the drive member of the loading unit in the retracted position, wherein the shipping wedge includes at least one pair of flexible clips configured to be releasably positioned about the loading unit. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A shipping wedge for use with a loading unit of a surgical instrument comprising:
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a body portion; an elongate transverse member extending from the body portion, the elongate transverse member being configured and dimensioned to be engageable with a drive assembly of a loading unit to prevent linear movement of the drive assembly; and a locking member releasably engageable with the loading unit to prevent removal of the transverse member from the loading unit, wherein the shipping wedge is configured to be releasable coupled with a loading unit and is removable from the loading unit prior to use of the loading unit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A shipping wedge for use with a loading unit of a surgical instrument comprising:
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a body portion; an elongate transverse member extending from the body portion, the elongate transverse member being configured and dimensioned to be engageable with a drive assembly of a loading unit to prevent linear movement of the drive assembly; a locking member releasably engageable with the loading unit to prevent removal of the transverse member from the loading unit; and at least one upper clip and one lower clip frictionally engageable with the loading unit.
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15. A shipping wedge for use with a loading unit of a surgical instrument comprising:
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a body portion; an elongate transverse member extending from the body portion, the elongate transverse member being positioned and configured to be engageable with a drive assembly of a loading unit, wherein the body portion including the elongate transverse member is configured to be releasably coupled to the loading unit and is removable from the loading unit prior to use of the loading unit; and a locking mechanism for releasably retaining the elongate transverse member within the loading unit to prevent removal of the transverse member from the loading unit. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification