End effector coupling arrangements for a surgical cutting and stapling instrument

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.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]This application relates to a surgical stapling apparatus and, in various embodiments, to an articulating mechanism for use with an endoscopic surgical stapling apparatus for sequentially applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue and optionally incising fastened tissue.[0003]2. Background of Related Art[0004]Surgical devices wherein tissue is first grasped or clamped between opposing jaw structures and then joined by surgical fasteners are well known in the art. In some instruments, a knife is provided to cut the tissue which has been joined by the fasteners. The fasteners are typically in the form of surgical staples but two part polymeric fasteners can also be utilized.[0005]Instruments for this purpose can include two elongated members which are respectively used to capture or clamp tissue. Typically, one of the members carries a staple cartridge which houses a plurality of staples arranged in at least two lateral rows while...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]After the disposable loading unit has been used, or expended, it can be removed from the elongated body of the surgical instrument and a new disposable loading unit can be assembled to the elongated body. Thereafter, the surgical instrument can be reinserted into a surgical site to perform additional steps of a surgical technique. In various circumstances, though, a

Problems solved by technology

Such practices increase the time, complexity and overall costs associated with laparoscopic surgical procedures.

In addition, costs are greater in designing and manufacturing multiple stapler sizes, as opposed to creating a single, multipurpose stapler.

In previous surgical stapling devices, though, the disposable loading unit can become detached from the elongate body causing the surgical stapling instrument to malfunction or be rendered inoperable.

In various circumstances, a portion of the soft ti

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