Staple cartridge and buttress loading unit

Abstract

The cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly allows for loading the cartridge and buttress material for the anvil assembly onto a tool assembly of a stapling device in a rapid and efficient manner. The cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly includes a cartridge and a loading unit. The loading unit includes a transport cap releasably supporting the staple cartridge, a buttress slide supporting buttress material, and a buttress shield defining a cap cavity sized to receive an anvil assembly of the stapling device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a loading unit for loading a staple cartridge into a stapling device, and more particularly to a loading unit for loading a staple cartridge and buttress material onto a tool assembly of a stapling device. Background Art

[0002] Various types of surgical devices for endoscopically treating tissue are known in the art and are commonly used to close tissue or organs, for example, in transection, resection, anastomosis procedures, for occluding organs in thoracic and abdominal surgery, and for electrosurgical fusing or sealing of tissue.

[0003] An example of such a surgical device is a surgical suturing device. Typically, the surgical suturing device includes a tool assembly having an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a channel member and a staple cartridge, which is received in a cavity defined by the channel member. In some surgical devices, the staple cartridge is releasably supported by the channel member and can be replaced in the channel member after each firing of the suturing device, so as to facilitate the reuse of the suturing device.

[0004] In order to strengthen the staple line in the tissue, a buttress material may be provided on the anvil of the staple cartridge and / or the tool assembly. When the suturing device is fired, the buttress material is fixed to the tissue to provide increased strength to the tissue along the staple line. In a suturing device including a replaceable staple cartridge, it may be difficult to replace the buttress material on the tool assembly.

[0005] There is a continuing need in the art for a loading unit that can be used to quickly and easily load a staple cartridge onto a stapling device while simultaneously delivering buttress material to an anvil assembly. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present application relates to a staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly for loading a staple cartridge and anvil buttress material onto a tool assembly of a suturing device in a fast and efficient manner. The staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly includes a staple cartridge and a loading unit. The loading unit includes a transport cover that releasably supports the staple cartridge, a buttress slide that supports the buttress material, and a buttress shield that defines an anvil channel with the buttress slide. The anvil channel is sized to receive an anvil assembly of the suturing device.

[0007] Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a loading unit comprising a transport cover, a buttress sled and a buttress shield. The transport cover has a distal portion, a proximal portion and a magazine support member extending from the distal portion to the proximal portion. The magazine support member includes a magazine engagement surface and an elastic finger extending downward from the opposite side of the magazine engagement surface. The elastic finger is configured to releasably fix the staple magazine to the transport cover. The buttress sled has a distal portion, a proximal portion and an inner surface. The distal portion of the buttress sled includes a first mounting member configured to fix a first end of a buttress material to the buttress sled, and the proximal portion of the buttress sled is pivotally fixed to the transport cover and includes a second mounting member configured to fix a second end of the buttress material to the buttress sled. The buttress shield is fixed to the buttress sled to define an anvil channel, which is configured and sized to receive an anvil assembly of a surgical stapling device. The support shield and support slide are pivotable relative to the transport cover between a first position in which the support shield and support slide are aligned in juxtaposition with the transport cover and a second position in which the support shield and support slide are pivoted away from the transport cover.

[0008] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the distal portion of the transport cover includes a grip portion defining a cover cavity, and the transport cover includes locking fingers extending into the cover cavity and configured to engage the support slide to maintain the support shield and the support slide in the first position.

[0009] In some aspects of the disclosure, the first mounting member is positioned within the cover cavity and includes a post.

[0010] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the second mounting member includes spaced apart prongs.

[0011] In aspects of the present disclosure, the support shield defines spaced-apart channels extending along the cover cavity, and the support slide includes ribs received within the spaced-apart channels to secure the support shield to the support slide.

[0012] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the support shroud defines triangular cutouts within the spaced apart channels, and the support slide plate includes triangular protrusions received within the triangular cutouts to secure the support slide plate to the support shroud.

[0013] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the loading unit includes a biasing member positioned between the support slide and the transport cover to urge the support shield and the support slide to the second position.

[0014] In various aspects of the present disclosure, a spring biasing member is supported on the second end portion of the support slide and includes at least one camming member.

[0015] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the loading unit includes a support material supported on an inner surface of a support slide.

[0016] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the buttress material defines a first opening that receives a post of the buttress sled to secure the buttress material to the buttress sled.

[0017] In aspects of the disclosure, the post includes an edge, and the support defines a score aligned with the edge of the post.

[0018] In some aspects of the disclosure, the edge is configured to cut the support material by scoring.

[0019] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the buttress material includes semicircular extensions defining openings that receive the spaced apart prongs.

[0020] In aspects of the present disclosure, the buttress material defines a second opening located within the cap cavity and configured to receive a distal end of an anvil of a tool assembly of a stapling device.

[0021] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the support slide and the support shield are integrally formed.

[0022] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the loading unit includes a slide member supported on a support shield and a support slide plate.

[0023] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the sliding member is movable between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the buttress shield and the buttress sled.

[0024] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a loading unit includes a link having a first end portion pivotally coupled to a shipping cover and a second end portion pivotally coupled to a sliding member.

[0025] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the sliding member is movable from a proximal position to a distal position to move the buttress shield and the buttress sled from a first position to a second position.

[0026] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the loading unit includes a biasing member positioned to urge the sliding member toward the first position.

[0027] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the buttress shield defines an elongated slot, and the slide member includes a finger extending through the elongated slot of the buttress shield into the anvil channel.

[0028] Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a nail magazine and support loading unit assembly, which includes a nail magazine and a loading unit. The nail magazine includes a magazine body, a nail and a pusher. The magazine body defines a nail receiving slot, and the nail and the pusher are received in the nail receiving slot. The loading unit includes a support material, a transport cover, a support slide and a support shield. The support material has a distal portion and a proximal portion. The transport cover has a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a magazine support member extending from the distal portion of the transport cover to the proximal portion of the transport cover. The magazine support member includes a magazine engagement surface and an elastic finger extending downward on the opposite side of the magazine engagement surface. The elastic finger engages with the nail magazine to releasably fix the nail magazine to the transport cover. The support slide has a distal portion, a proximal portion and an inner surface. The inner surface supports the support material. The distal portion of the buttress slide includes a first mounting member configured to fix the distal portion of the buttress material to the buttress slide, and the proximal portion of the buttress slide is pivotally fixed to the transport cover and includes a second mounting member configured to fix the proximal portion of the buttress material to the buttress slide. The buttress shield is fixed to the buttress slide. The buttress shield and the inner surface of the buttress slide define an anvil channel, which is configured to receive the anvil assembly of the surgical suturing device. The buttress shield and the buttress slide can be pivoted relative to the transport cover between a first position and a second position, in which the buttress shield and the buttress slide are aligned juxtaposed with the transport cover, and in which the buttress shield and the buttress slide are pivoted away from the transport cover.

[0029] Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a loading unit comprising a transport cover, a support slide and a support shield. The transport cover has a distal portion, a proximal portion and a magazine support member extending from the distal portion to the proximal portion. The magazine support member includes a magazine engagement surface and an elastic finger extending downward on the opposite side of the magazine engagement surface. The elastic finger is configured to releasably fix the nail magazine to the transport cover. The support slide has a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion of the support slide includes a first mounting member configured to releasably fix the first end of the support material to the support slide, and the proximal portion of the support slide is pivotally fixed to the transport cover and includes a second mounting member configured to releasably fix the second end of the support material to the support slide. The support shield is fixed to the support slide. The support shield and the support slide define an anvil channel, which is configured to receive the anvil assembly of the surgical stapling device. The support shield and support slide are pivotable relative to the transport cover between a first position in which the support shield and support slide are aligned in juxtaposition with the transport cover and a second position in which the support shield and support slide are pivoted away from the transport cover.

[0030] Other features of the present disclosure will be understood from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Various aspects of the disclosed loading unit will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 is a side perspective view from above of a staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure in a first position;

[0033] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side perspective view from below of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly is shown;

[0034] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A side perspective view from below of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly is shown with the loading unit separated from the staple cartridge;

[0035] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A side perspective view from above of a staple cartridge of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly is shown;

[0036] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A side perspective exploded view of the loading unit is shown;

[0037] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A side perspective view of a support slide of the loading unit is shown, wherein the support material is supported on the support slide;

[0038] Figure 7 is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 7-7;

[0039] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 an enlarged view of the indicated area of ​​detail shown;

[0040] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 A bottom perspective view of the support slide and support shield of the loading unit shown with the parts separated;

[0041] Fig.10 yes Figure 1 A bottom perspective view of a support slide and a support shield of the loading unit shown with the support shield slid onto the support slide;

[0042] Fig.11 yes Figure 1 A bottom perspective view of a support slide and a support shield of the loading unit shown with the support shield slid onto the support slide;

[0043] Fig.12is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 12-12;

[0044] Fig.13 is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 13-13;

[0045] Fig.14 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 14-14;

[0046] Fig.15 is a side perspective view of a staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly located near a distal end of a tool assembly of a stapling device;

[0047] Fig.15A yes Fig.15 a perspective view from below of an anvil of the tool assembly shown;

[0048] Fig.16 is along Fig.15 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 16-16;

[0049] Fig.17 yes Fig.15 A side perspective view of the tool assembly and the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly shown with the anvil assembly of the tool assembly received in a channel defined between a buttress shield and a buttress sled of the loading unit;

[0050] Fig.18 is along Fig.17 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 18-18;

[0051] Fig.19 When the anvil assembly slides to the limit Fig.16 a side cross-sectional view taken through the anvil assembly and the buttress shield and buttress slide of the loading unit when the anvil assembly is positioned in the passage between the buttress shield and buttress slide of the loading unit as shown;

[0052] Fig. 20 is a side cross-sectional view taken through the anvil assembly and the buttress shield and buttress slide of the loading unit with the anvil assembly received within a passage defined between the buttress shield and buttress slide of the loading unit;

[0053] Fig.21 is a side cross-sectional view taken through the tool assembly and the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly with the anvil assembly received within a channel defined between a buttress shield and a buttress sled of the loading unit;

[0054] Fig. 22 is along Fig.21 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 22-22;

[0055] Fig.23 is a side view of a staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly supported on an anvil assembly of a tool assembly as the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly is pivoted into engagement with a channel member of a tool assembly;

[0056] Fig.24 is along Fig.23 of Figure 24-24 A cross-sectional view taken along the section line;

[0057] Fig.25 When the staple cartridge of the staple cartridge and support loading unit assembly is received in Fig.23 A cross-sectional view of a channel through a staple cartridge and a cartridge assembly of the tool assembly when within a channel member of the tool assembly and disengaged from a loading unit;

[0058] Fig.26 The staple cartridge is received in the channel member of the tool assembly and Fig.16 A side view of the loading unit supported on the anvil assembly of the tool assembly with the loading unit support slide and transport cover shown pivoted rearwardly toward the loading unit support shield;

[0059] Fig. 27 The loading unit of the nail magazine and support loading unit assembly is Fig.16 a side perspective view of the tool assembly shown with the anvil assembly removed;

[0060] Fig.28 yes Fig. 27 an enlarged perspective view of a proximal portion of the anvil assembly shown with a buttress attached thereto;

[0061] Fig.29 Is in the first position Figure 1 A side perspective view of an alternate version of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly is shown;

[0062] Fig.30 yes Fig.29 A side perspective exploded view of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly is shown;

[0063] Fig.31 is along Fig.29 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 31-31;

[0064] Fig.32 Is in the first position Fig.29 A side perspective view of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly is shown as the loading unit is slid onto the anvil assembly of the stapling device; and

[0065] Fig.33 yes Fig.29A side perspective view of a staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly is shown as the loading unit is slid onto an anvil assembly of a stapling device and the loading unit is moved from a first position to a second position to load a staple cartridge into a channel member of the stapling device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] The disclosed nail magazine and support loading unit assembly will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals represent the same or corresponding elements in each of the several views. However, it should be understood that the various aspects of the present disclosure are merely examples of the present disclosure and can be implemented in various forms. Well-known functions or configurations are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure with unnecessary details. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but should only be interpreted as the basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to adopt the present disclosure in various ways in almost any structure that is appropriately detailed.

[0067] In this specification, the term "proximal" is generally used to refer to the portion of the device that is closer to the clinician, and the term "distal" is generally used to refer to the portion of the device that is farther away from the clinician. In addition, the term "endoscopic" is generally used to refer to endoscopy, laparoscopy, arthroscopy and / or any other surgery performed through a small diameter incision or cannula. Further, the term "clinician" is generally used to refer to medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, surgeons and support staff. In addition, the use of directional terms such as front, back, upper, lower, top, bottom and similar terms is to help understand the description and is not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0068] The present disclosure relates to a staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly for loading a staple cartridge and buttress material for an anvil assembly onto a tool assembly of a stapling device in a fast and efficient manner. The staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly includes a staple cartridge and a loading unit. The loading unit includes a transport cover that releasably supports the staple cartridge, a buttress slide that supports the buttress material, and a buttress shield that defines an anvil channel with the buttress slide, the anvil channel being sized to receive the anvil assembly of the stapling device.

[0069] Figures 1 to 4 A staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure, generally shown as assembly 10, is illustrated. Assembly 10 includes a staple cartridge 12 ( Figure 4 ) and a loading unit 14. The loading unit 14 includes a transport cover 16, a support slide 18, and a support shield 20. The staple cartridge 12 is releasably coupled to the loading unit 14, as described in further detail below.

[0070] Figure 4The nail magazine 12 is shown, which includes a magazine body 22, a magazine shield 24, and nails 26 ( Fig.12 )、Propeller 28( Fig.12 ) and a first buttress material 30. The cartridge body 22 defines a staple receiving slot 32 and a knife slot 34. The staple receiving slot 32 is located on the opposite side of the knife slot 34 and receives the staple 26 and the pusher 28. The knife slot 34 receives a knife (not shown) of a suturing device. The cartridge body 22 includes an inner surface 36 ( Fig.12 ), through which the knife slot 34 and the staple receiving slot 32 pass. The inner surface 36 of the cartridge body 22 supports the first buttress material 30. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the first buttress material 30 is secured to the cartridge body 22 by sutures 38, but other securing devices and techniques may be used to secure the first buttress material 30 to the cartridge body 22. The cartridge body 22 includes a protrusion 40 extending outwardly from each side of the cartridge body 22. The cartridge shield 24 is secured to the lower surface of the cartridge body 22 to secure the staples 26 and the pushers 28 ( Fig.12 ) is retained in the nail receiving groove 32 of the magazine body 22.

[0071] Figure 5 An exploded view of a loading unit 14 is shown, the loading unit including a transport cover 16, a support slide 18, and a support shield 20. The support shield 20 includes an elongated body 44 having an inner surface defining an elongated cavity 46. The elongated body 44 of the support shield 20 has a first end and a second end and defines elongated channels 48 extending from the first end of the support shield 20 to the second end of the support shield 20 along each side of the cavity 46. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the first end of the elongated body 44 of the support shield 20 includes a cover 50 integrally formed with the elongated body 44 and defining a recess 52. The elongated body 44 also defines an internal triangular cutout 54 positioned adjacent to the end of each of the elongated channels 48 and a rectangular recess 56 positioned in opposing side walls of the elongated body 44 of the support shield 20. The rectangular recess 56 receives the protrusion 40 of the cartridge body 22 of the staple cartridge 12 to align the staple cartridge 12 on the loading unit 14 .

[0072] Figures 5 to 7 The support sled 18 is shown and includes an elongated body 60 having a planar inner surface 62 and ribs 64 extending along the outer edges of the planar inner surface 62 and along each side of the elongated body 60. The ribs 64 are received within the channels 48 of the support shield 20 to couple the support sled 18 to the support shield 20. The ribs 64 define recesses 64a that align with the recesses 56 in the support shield 20 and receive the protrusions 40 ( Figure 4 ) so that the nail magazine 12 ( Figure 4) is aligned with the loading unit 14. The support slide 18 has a first end and a second end. The first end of the support slide 18 has a mounting member 68 for coupling the second support material 66 to the support slide 18. The mounting member 68 includes a post 70 and a cap 72 that is integrally formed with the post 70 and extends through the post 70 toward the first end of the support slide 18. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the post 70 has a triangular configuration ( Figure 8 ) and includes edge 70a ( Figure 7 ). The first end of the support slide 18 includes triangular projections 74 that are received within the triangular cutouts 54 of the support shield 20 when the support slide 18 is slid into the channel 48 of the support shield 20 to secure the support slide 18 to the support shield 20. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the first end of the support slide 18 has a cover 76 that is shaped to close the first end of the recess of the support shield 20.

[0073] Support slide plate 18 ( Fig. 9 ) has a lower surface including two downward longitudinal ribs 81. Each of the ribs 81 has a flange 82 located on the second end of the support slide 18, the flange defining a through hole 84. The flange 82 is configured to pivotally couple the support slide 18 to the transport cover 16 of the loading unit 14. The second end of the support slide 18 also includes a mounting structure configured to couple the second support material 66 to the second end of the support slide 18, and a spring biasing member 88 positioned between the spaced apart forks 86. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the mounting structure includes the spaced apart forks 86. The spring biasing member 88 includes two cam drive members 88a, which will be further described below.

[0074] Figures 5 to 8 A second buttress material 66 is shown supported on the inner planar surface 62 of the buttress sled 18 and includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion of the second buttress material 66 is angled upward and defines a first opening 90a and a second opening 90b that are received around the post 70 of the buttress sled 18. The second opening 90b is defined on the angled portion of the second buttress material 66 and is positioned to receive the anvil assembly 102 ( Fig.15 As described above, the cap 72 of the mounting member 68 extends beyond the post 70 to hook the distal portion of the second buttress material 66 to the mounting member 68 of the buttress slide 18. The portion of the second buttress material 66 defining the opening 90a ( Figure 8 ) includes a notch or recess 66a that receives an edge 70a of a post 70 ( Figure 7) to facilitate cutting of the second buttress material 66, as described in further detail below. The proximal portion of the second buttress material 66 includes spaced apart semicircular extensions 92. Each of the semicircular extensions 92 defines an opening 92a that receives one of the spaced apart prongs 86 of the buttress sled 18 to secure the proximal portion of the second buttress material 66 to the buttress sled 18.

[0075] Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Fig.12 The transport cover 16 is shown, which includes a body 104 and a longitudinally extending bin support member 110 ( Fig.12 ), the body having a distal portion forming a grip 106 and defining a cavity 108. A bin support member 110 extends from within the cavity 108 and forms a proximal portion of the transport cover 16. The bin support member 110 includes two spaced apart, upwardly extending ribs 112 ( Figure 5 ), these upwardly extending ribs extend from the grip portion 106 along the proximal portion of the body 104. Each of the upwardly extending ribs 112 includes a flange 114 positioned on the second end of the transport cover 16, the flange defining a through hole 116. The through hole 116 receives a pivot member 120, which is also received in the opening 84 ( Figure 5 ) to pivotally secure the support slide 18 to the transport cover 16. The support slide 18 and support shield 20 secured together are pivotable relative to the transport cover 16 between a first position in which the support slide 18 and support shield 20 are positioned within the cavity 108 defined by the grip 106 and longitudinally aligned with the transport cover 16, and a second position in which the support slide 18 and support shield 20 are angled relative to the transport cover 16 and spaced from the cavity 108 defined by the grip 106. The pivot member 120 supports a spring or biasing member 121 located between the bin support member 110 of the transport cover 16 and the support slide 18 to urge the support slide 18 to the second position. In aspects of the present disclosure, the spring 121 is in the form of a torsion spring, but other types of biasing members are also contemplated.

[0076] The body 104 of the transport cover 16 includes two flexible locking fingers 122 that extend into the cavity 108 defined by the grip 106 and are aligned with the recesses 64a in the ribs 64 of the support slide 18. When the support shield 20 and the support slide 18 are pivoted to the first position within the cavity 108 defined by the grip 106, the locking fingers 122 flex past the support slide 18 and extend through the recesses 64a in the support slide 18 into the anvil channel 46a to a position on top of the planar inner surface 62 of the support slide 18 to retain the support slide 18 in the first position within the cavity 108 of the grip 106.

[0077] The bin support member 110 of the transport cover 16 supports the resilient fingers 124 ( Figure 3 ), these resilient fingers extend downwardly from the cartridge support member 110 and are positioned to engage the staple cartridge 12 to couple the staple cartridge 12 to the lower surface of the cartridge support member 110 ( Fig.12 More specifically, the resilient fingers 124 engage the shoulders 126 of the cartridge body 22 of the staple cartridge 12 ( Fig.12 ), to releasably secure the staple cartridge 12 to the cartridge support member 110 of the transport cover 16. When the staple cartridge 12 is supported on the cartridge support member 110 of the transport cover 16, the cartridge support member 110 includes a cartridge engagement surface 110a that covers the outer surface of the cartridge body 22 of the staple cartridge 12 to prevent the staples 26 and the pushers 28 from falling from the staple receiving slots 32 of the cartridge body 22. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the cartridge engagement surface 110a of the cartridge support member 110 defines a stepped surface that is positioned to engage the outer surface of the cartridge body 22.

[0078] Figures 9 to 11 The buttress slide 18 is shown when it is coupled to the buttress shield 20. As briefly described above, to couple the buttress slide 18 to the buttress shield 20, the ribs 64 of the buttress slide 18 are positioned within the channel 48 of the buttress shield 20, and the buttress slide 18 is moved relative to the buttress shield 20 in the direction indicated by arrow "A" until the triangular protrusion 74 of the buttress slide 18 is received in the triangular notch 54 of the buttress shield 20. When this occurs, the configuration of the protrusion 74 and the notch 54 locks the buttress slide 18 to the buttress shield 20, and the buttress slide 18 encloses the cavity 46 of the buttress shield 20 to define the anvil channel 46a ( Fig.13 When the support slide plate 18 is fixed to the support shield 20 , the recess 64 a of the support slide plate 18 is aligned with the recess 56 of the support shield 20 .

[0079] Although the support slide plate 18 and the support shield 20 are shown as two separate components coupled together, it is contemplated that the support slide plate 18 and the support shield 20 may be formed as a unitary construction, such as by molding. Fig.30 In various aspects of the present disclosure, the support slide 18 and support shield 20 are molded from a plastic material (eg, polyethylene), although other materials of construction are contemplated.

[0080] The tool assembly 10 is configured to load a staple cartridge 12 including a first buttress material 30 and a second buttress material 66 onto the tool assembly 100. The tool assembly 100 is Fig.15 and Fig.15A 1 and includes a channel member 130 and anvil assembly 132. Channel member 130 includes a bottom wall 134 and side walls 136 defining a cavity 138 that is sized to receive a staple cartridge 12. Side walls 136 each define a recess 140 that receives one of the projections 40 on cartridge body 22 of a staple cartridge 12 when the staple cartridge 12 is loaded into the cavity 138 defined by channel member 130 of tool assembly 100.

[0081] The anvil assembly 132 includes a staple forming surface 142 defining a knife slot 144 and a shaped recess 145 aligned in a row on each side of the knife slot 144. The anvil assembly 132 supports a pair of buttress retaining springs 146 located proximal to the shaped recess 145. Each of the buttress retaining springs 146 has a proximal portion fixed to the anvil assembly 132, such as by welding, and includes an outwardly extending hook 148 and an inwardly extending ramp member 150. The ramp member 150 is positioned laterally inward of the hook 148. When the buttress retaining spring 146 is in an undeformed state, each of the hooks 148 extends into a recess 152 formed in the anvil assembly 132.

[0082] Fig.15 and Fig.16 The assembly 10 and tool assembly 100 are shown immediately prior to loading a staple cartridge 12 and a second buttress material 66 onto the tool assembly 100. As shown, the buttress sled 18 is coupled to the buttress shield 20 as described above, and the buttress sled is pivotally coupled to the transport cover 16 via the pivot member 120. The buttress sled 18 with the buttress shield 20 attached is pivoted to the second position such that the buttress sled 18 and the buttress shield 20 are received in the cavity 108 of the grip 106 of the transport cover 16. As described above, the buttress sled 18 is secured to the transport cover 16 via the locking fingers 122 ( Fig.14 The second support material 66 is supported on the planar inner surface 62 of the support slide 18, and the post 70 of the mounting member 68 is received in the first opening 90a in the second support material 66.

[0083] Figures 17 to 22 The anvil assembly 132 is shown inserted into the anvil channel 46a defined by the buttress shield 20 and the buttress slide 18. Fig.18 and Fig.19 18, the buttress retaining spring 146 is inserted into the anvil channel 46a in the direction of arrow "B" in FIG. 1 , the ramp member 150 of the buttress retaining spring 146 engages the cam drive member 88a of the spring biasing member 88 of the buttress slide 18 and is biased inwardly to lift the hook 148 of the buttress retaining spring 146 from the recess 152 defined in the anvil assembly 132. As the buttress slide 18 continues to move further into the anvil channel 46a defined by the buttress slide 18 and the buttress shield 20, the distal end of the anvil assembly 132 passes through the second opening 90b in the second buttress material 66. When the ramp member 150 of the buttress retaining spring 146 passes the cam drive member 88a of the spring biasing member 88 of the buttress slide 18, the buttress retaining spring 146 is moved inwardly. Fig. 20 132 to return to an undeformed state in the direction of arrow “C” in the figure, so that hook 148 moves outward through second opening 90 b in second buttress material 66 and returns to recess 152 formed in anvil assembly 132 to secure second buttress material 66 to anvil assembly 132.

[0084] like Fig.15A As shown, the anvil assembly 132 includes a tapered distal portion 160 and defines cam surfaces 162 whose width increases in the proximal direction. When the anvil assembly 132 is fully received in the anvil channel 46a defined by the buttress slide 18 and the buttress shield 20, the cam surfaces 162 of the anvil assembly 132 engage the locking fingers 122 of the transport cover 16 and are locked by the buttress slide 18 and the buttress shield 20. Fig. 22 1 and 10. The locking fingers 122 are biased outwardly in the direction indicated by the arrow "D" in FIG. 1 to disengage the buttress sled 18. This facilitates movement of the buttress sled 18 and buttress shield 20 from the first position to the second position and allows the staple cartridge 12 to pivot toward the channel member 130 of the tool assembly 100. As described above, the biasing member 121 is positioned to cause the buttress sled 18 to pivot about the pivot member 120 from the first position to the second position.

[0085] Figure 23 to Figure 25 The staple cartridge 12 is shown as the transport cover 16 is pivoted about the pivot member 120 away from the support sled 18 and the support shield 20 toward the channel member 130 of the tool assembly 100. Once the locking finger 122 of the transport cover 16 is disengaged from the support sled 18, the gripping portion of the transport cover 16 can be grasped and locked by Fig.23130, the tool assembly 100 is pivoted in the direction indicated by the arrow "E" in FIG. 130 toward the channel member 130 of the tool assembly 100. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the gripping portion 106 may include ribs 170 or other non-slip surface textures to allow the clinician to more easily grip the transport cover. When the transport cover 16 is pivoted toward the channel member 130, the nail magazine 12 supported on the lower surface of the transport cover 16 is moved into the cavity 138 defined by the channel member 130. When the nail magazine 12 enters the cavity 138 of the channel member 130, the protrusion 40 on the magazine body 22 of the nail magazine 12 is received in the recess 140 formed in the side wall 136 of the channel member 130. When the nail magazine 12 is in the cavity 138 of the channel member 130, the protrusion 40 on the magazine body 22 of the nail magazine 12 is received in the recess 140 formed in the side wall 136 of the channel member 130. Fig.24 When the channel member 130 moves in the direction of arrow "F" into the cavity 138, the side wall 136 of the channel member 130 engages the resilient finger 124 and moves into the cavity 138 of the channel member 130. Fig.24 and Fig.25 The resilient fingers 124 are pushed outwardly in the direction of the arrow “G” in FIG. 1 to disengage the staple cartridge from the transport cover 16 .

[0086] Figure 26 to Figure 28 The tool assembly 100 and loading unit 14 are shown after the staple cartridge 12 is loaded into the channel member 130 of the tool assembly 100. Once the staple cartridge 12 is loaded into the channel member 130 of the tool assembly 100, the transport cover 16 of the loading unit 14 can be opened. Fig.26 The support slide 18 is pivoted rearwardly in the direction of the arrow "H" in FIG. 1 , and the support slide 18 and the support shield 20 can be removed from the anvil assembly 132 of the tool assembly 100 as a unit. Fig. 27 As buttress slide 18 and buttress shield 20 slide from anvil assembly 132, edge 70a of post 70 of buttress slide 18 cuts through score 66a in the end of second buttress material 66 to allow buttress material 66 to separate from buttress slide 18. When buttress slide 18 is removed from anvil assembly 132, spaced prongs 86 of buttress slide 18 are pulled through opening 92a ( Figure 5 When the buttress slide 18 is removed from the anvil assembly 132, the buttress retaining spring 146 of the anvil assembly 132 secures one end of the second buttress material 66 to one end of the anvil assembly 132 ( Fig.28 ), and the distal end of the anvil assembly 132 is received in the second opening 90b of the second support material 66 to fix the other end of the anvil assembly 132.

[0087] Figure 29 to Figure 31An alternative version of a staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly is illustrated, generally shown as assembly 200. Assembly 200 includes a staple cartridge 212 and a loading unit 214. Loading unit 214 includes a transport cover 216, a buttress sled 218, and a buttress shield 220. Buttress sled 218 and buttress shield 220 are integrally formed, and staple cartridge 12 is releasably coupled to loading unit 14, as described in further detail below.

[0088] The nail magazine 212 is the same as the nail magazine 12 ( Figure 4 ), and includes a cartridge body 222, a cartridge shield 224, staples, a pusher (not shown), and a first buttress material 230. As described above, with respect to the staple cartridge 12, the cartridge body 222 defines staple receiving slots (not shown) that receive staples and pushers. The cartridge body 222 includes an inner surface 236 through which a knife slot (not shown) and a staple receiving slot extend. The inner surface 236 of the cartridge body 222 supports the first buttress material 230. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the first buttress material 230 is secured to the cartridge body 222 by sutures 238, but other securing devices and techniques may be used to secure the first buttress material 230 to the cartridge body 22. The cartridge body 222 includes a protrusion 240 extending outwardly from each side of the cartridge body 222. The cartridge shield 224 is secured to the lower surface of the cartridge body 222 to retain the staples and pushers within the staple receiving slots of the cartridge body 222.

[0089] Fig.30 An exploded view of a loading unit 214 is shown, which includes a transport cover 216, a support slide 218, and a support shield 220. As described above, the support slide 218 and the support shield 220 are integrally formed and define an anvil channel 242, which has an open proximal end 242a. The support shield 220 defines an elongated slot 244 that extends through the support shield 220 and communicates with the anvil channel 242. The support shield 220 and / or the support slide 218 have a proximal end defining a grip 246 that can be gripped by a clinician to facilitate placement of the loading unit 214 into the tool assembly 100 ( Fig.33 )superior.

[0090] The support slide plate 218 includes a lower surface ( Fig.30 ), the lower surface includes two downwardly extending flanges 250 located on the proximal portion of the support slide 218. Each of the flanges 250 defines a through hole 250a that receives a pivot member 252. The flanges 250 and the pivot member 252 are configured to pivotally couple the support slide 218 to the transport cover 216 of the loading unit 214, as described in further detail below. The support slide 218 and / or the support shield 220 define channels 256 that extend along the distal portion of the sidewalls of the support slide 218 and / or the support shield 220.

[0091] The loading unit 214 includes a sliding member 258 having a generally C-shaped configuration and slidable about the outer surface of the support shield 220. The sliding member 258 includes a side wall 258a having inwardly extending protrusions 260 that are received in the channels 256 of the support slide plate 218 and / or the support shield 220. The sliding member 258 also includes a downwardly extending finger 262 ( Fig.31 ), the finger is received in the elongated slot 244 of the support shield 220 and extends into the anvil channel 256. The side wall 258a also defines two through holes 263 that receive the pivot members 264, as described below.

[0092] The transport cover 216 includes a longitudinally extending bin support member 270 including an inner surface having two spaced apart ribs 272. Each of the ribs 272 includes a proximal flange 274 and a central flange 276. The proximal flange 274 and the central flange 276 define through holes 274a, 276a. The bin support member 270 also includes a distal flange 280 defining a through hole 280a. The pivot member 252 extends through the through hole 274a of the transport cover 216 and through the through hole 250a ( Fig.30 ) to pivotally couple the proximal portion of the support slide 218 to the proximal portion of the transport cover 216. The bin support member 270 of the transport cover 216 includes a resilient finger 281 ( Fig.29 ), these resilient fingers extend downwardly from the cartridge support member 270 and are positioned to engage the staple cartridge 212 to couple the staple cartridge 212 to the outer surface of the cartridge support member 270 ( Fig.29 More specifically, resilient finger 281 engages a shoulder (eg, shoulder 126 ( Fig.12 )) to releasably secure the staple cartridge 212 to the cartridge support member 270 of the transport cover 216. When the staple cartridge 212 is supported on the cartridge support member 270 of the transport cover 216, the cartridge support member 270 includes a cartridge engagement surface 270a that covers the outer surface of the cartridge body 222 of the staple cartridge 212 to prevent staples and pushers from falling from the staple receiving slots of the cartridge body 222. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the cartridge engagement surface 270a of the cartridge support member 270 defines a stepped surface ( Fig.31 ), the stepped surface is positioned to engage the outer surface of the hopper body 222.

[0093] The loading unit 214 includes a link 284 that couples the transport cover 216 to the support shield 218. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the link 284 is H-shaped and defines a proximal opening 286 and a distal opening 288. The proximal opening 286 receives a pivot member 264 that also extends through a through hole 263 of the slide member 258 to pivotally couple the link 284 to the slide member 258. The distal opening 288 receives a pivot member 290 that also extends through a through hole 280a in the distal flange 280 of the transport cover 216 to pivotally couple the link 284 to the distal portion of the transport cover 216.

[0094] The loading unit 214 includes a biasing member 292 positioned to urge the slide member 258 proximally on the buttress shield 220 and to urge the transport cover 216 toward the first position in which the transport cover 216 is aligned with the buttress slide 218. In aspects of the present disclosure, the biasing member 292 includes a coil spring having a first ring 294 received around a pivot member 296 received through a through hole 276a of the center flange 276 of the transport cover 216 and a second ring 298 received around a pivot member 264 of the slide member 258. Alternatively, other types of biasing members may be used to urge the transport cover toward the first position.

[0095] Although the internal configuration of buttress sled 218 and buttress shield 220 for supporting buttress material and delivering it to the anvil assembly is not described in detail herein, it is contemplated that the features described above with respect to buttress sled 18 and buttress shield 20 may be included in buttress sled 218 and buttress shield 220 to support second material 66 ( Figure 5 ) and delivers it to the anvil assembly 132.

[0096] Fig.32 and Fig.33 The loading unit 214 is used to load the second support material 66 ( Figure 5 ) is loaded onto the anvil assembly 132 and the staple cartridge 212 is loaded into the channel member 130 ( Fig.15 ) in the loading unit 200. Prior to use, the loading unit 200 having the staple cartridge 212 attached to the transport cover 216 is pushed to a first position in which the transport cover 216 is longitudinally aligned with the buttress slide 218 and the buttress shield 220. In use, the assembly 200 is positioned so that the distal end of the anvil assembly 132 is aligned with the open proximal end 242a of the anvil channel 256 defined between the buttress slide 218 and the buttress shield 220. The anvil assembly 132 is inserted into the anvil channel 256. This can be accomplished by pulling the grip 246 proximally to allow the anvil assembly 132 to be positioned within the anvil channel 256. Fig.32 When the anvil assembly 132 moves through the anvil channel 256, the distal end of the anvil assembly 132 is aligned with the finger 262 ( Fig.31 ) so that the sliding member 258 moves along the support slide plate 218 and the support cover 220 Fig.33 292 moves distally against the push of the biasing member 292 in the direction of the arrow "K". When the sliding member 258 moves in the direction of the arrow "K", the link 284 pivots to allow the transport cover 216 to move in the Fig.33 216 is pivoted downwardly from the first position to the second position in the direction of arrow “L” in FIG. 21 to position the staple cartridge 212 within the channel member 130 of the tool assembly 100. When the staple cartridge 212 enters the channel member 130, the resilient fingers 281 of the transport cover 216 engage the side walls of the channel member 130 to release the staple cartridge 212 from the transport cover.

[0097] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the devices and methods specifically described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the present disclosure. It is contemplated that the elements and features illustrated or described in conjunction with one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure may be combined with the elements and features of another exemplary aspect without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, those skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the present disclosure based on the various aspects of the present disclosure described above. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to what has been specifically shown and described, except as indicated in the appended claims.

[0098] The present invention may be described by reference to the following numbered paragraphs:

[0099] 1. A loading unit, comprising:

[0100] a shipping cover having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a cartridge support member extending from the distal portion to the proximal portion, the cartridge support member including a cartridge engagement surface and resilient fingers extending downwardly on opposite sides of the cartridge engagement surface, the resilient fingers being configured to releasably secure a staple cartridge to the shipping cover;

[0101] a support slide having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an inner surface, the distal portion of the support slide including a first mounting member configured to secure a first end of a support material to the support slide, and the proximal portion of the support slide pivotally secured to the transport cover and including a second mounting member configured to secure a second end of the support material to the support slide; and

[0102] A support shield is fixed to the support slide, the support shield and the inner surface of the support slide define an anvil channel, and the anvil channel is configured to receive an anvil assembly of a surgical suturing device, the support shield and the support slide are capable of pivoting between a first position and a second position relative to the transport cover, in the first position, the support shield and the support slide are aligned juxtaposed with the transport cover, and in the second position, the support shield and the support slide are pivoted away from the transport cover.

[0103] 2. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the transport cover includes a gripping portion defining a cover cavity, the transport cover including a locking finger extending into the cover cavity and configured to engage the support slide to hold the support shield and the support slide in the first position.

[0104] 3. The loading unit of claim 2, wherein the first mounting member is positioned within the cover cavity and comprises a post.

[0105] 4. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein the second mounting member comprises spaced apart prongs.

[0106] 5. The loading unit of claim 2, wherein the support shield defines spaced-apart channels extending along the cover cavity, and the support slide includes ribs received within the spaced-apart channels to secure the support shield to the support slide.

[0107] 6. The loading unit of claim 5, wherein the support shield defines a triangular cutout in the spaced-apart channel, and the support slide includes a triangular protrusion received in the triangular cutout to secure the support slide to the support shield.

[0108] 7. The loading unit of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member positioned between the support slide and the shipping cover, the biasing member positioned to urge the support shield and the support slide to the second position.

[0109] 8. The loading unit of claim 1, further comprising a spring biasing member supported on the second end portion of the support slide, the spring biasing member comprising at least one camming member.

[0110] 9. The loading unit of claim 1, further comprising a support material supported on an inner surface of the support slide plate.

[0111] 10. The loading unit of claim 3, wherein the buttress material defines a first opening that receives a post of the buttress sled to secure the buttress material to the buttress sled.

[0112] 11. The loading unit of claim 10, wherein the post includes an edge and the buttress defines a score aligned with the edge of the post, the edge being configured to cut the buttress material through the score.

[0113] 12. The loading unit of claim 4, wherein the buttress material includes semi-circular extensions, each of the semi-circular extensions defining an opening for receiving one of the spaced apart prongs.

[0114] 13. The loading unit of claim 10, wherein the buttress material defines a second opening located within the cover cavity and configured to receive a distal end of an anvil of a tool assembly of a stapling device.

[0115] 14. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein the support slide plate and the support cover are integrally formed.

[0116] 15. The loading unit of claim 1, further comprising a slide member supported on the buttress shield and the buttress slide plate, the slide member being movable between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the buttress shield and the buttress slide plate.

[0117] 16. The loading unit of claim 15, further comprising a link having a first end portion pivotally coupled to the transport cover and a second end portion pivotally coupled to the slide member, wherein the slide member is movable from the proximal position to the distal position to move the buttress shield and the buttress slide from the first position to the second position.

[0118] 17. The loading unit of claim 16, further comprising a biasing member positioned to urge the slide member to the first position.

[0119] 18. The loading unit of claim 17, wherein the support shield defines an elongated slot and the slide member includes a finger extending through the elongated slot into the anvil channel.

[0120] 19. A staple cartridge and support loading unit assembly, comprising:

[0121] A nail cartridge, the nail cartridge comprising a cartridge body, nails and a pusher, the cartridge body defining a nail receiving slot, the nails and the pusher being received in the nail receiving slot;

[0122] A loading unit, the loading unit comprising:

[0123] a buttress material having a distal portion and a proximal portion;

[0124] a shipping cover having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a cartridge support member extending from the distal portion of the shipping cover to the proximal portion of the shipping cover, the cartridge support member including a cartridge engagement surface and resilient fingers extending downwardly on opposite sides of the cartridge engagement surface, the resilient fingers engaging the staple cartridge to releasably secure the staple cartridge to the shipping cover;

[0125] a support slide having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an inner surface, the inner surface supporting the support material, the distal portion of the support slide including a first mounting member configured to secure the distal portion of the support material to the support slide, and the proximal portion of the support slide pivotally secured to the transport cover and including a second mounting member configured to secure the proximal portion of the support material to the support slide; and

[0126] A support shield is fixed to the support slide, the support shield and the inner surface of the support slide define an anvil channel, and the anvil channel is configured to receive an anvil assembly of a surgical suturing device, the support shield and the support slide are capable of pivoting between a first position and a second position relative to the transport cover, in the first position, the support shield and the support slide are aligned juxtaposed with the transport cover, and in the second position, the support shield and the support slide are pivoted away from the transport cover.

[0127] 20. The staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly of claim 19, wherein the distal portion of the transport cover includes a gripping portion defining a cover cavity, and the transport cover includes a locking finger extending into the cover cavity and configured to engage the buttress sled to retain the buttress shield and the buttress sled in the first position.

[0128] 21. A nail magazine and support loading unit assembly as described in Claim 20, wherein the first mounting member is located in the cover cavity and includes a post, the second mounting member includes spaced apart prongs, the distal portion of the support material defines a first opening, the first opening receives the post of the support sled to secure the support material to the support sled, and the proximal portion of the support material includes semicircular extensions, each of the semicircular extensions defines an opening for receiving one of the spaced apart prongs.

[0129] 22. The staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly of Claim 20, wherein said buttress shield defines spaced-apart channels extending along said cover cavity, and said buttress sled includes ribs received within said spaced-apart channels to secure said buttress shield to said buttress sled.

[0130] 23. The staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly of Claim 20, further comprising a biasing member positioned between said buttress sled and said transport cover, said biasing member positioned to urge said buttress shield and said buttress sled to said second position.

[0131] 24. The staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly of Claim 19, further comprising a spring biasing member supported on the second end of the buttress sled, the spring biasing member comprising at least one camming member.

[0132] 25. The staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly of Claim 19, wherein said buttress sled and said buttress shield are integrally formed.

[0133] 26. The staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly of Claim 19, further comprising a slide member supported on said buttress shield and said buttress sled, said slide member being movable between a proximal position and a distal position relative to said buttress shield and said buttress sled.

[0134] 27. The staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly of claim 26, further comprising a link having a first end portion pivotally coupled to the transport cover and a second end portion coupled to the slide member, wherein the slide member is movable from the proximal position to the distal position to move the buttress shield and the buttress sled from the first position to the second position.

[0135] 28. The staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly of Claim 27, further comprising a biasing member positioned to urge the slide member to the first position.

[0136] 29. The staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly of Claim 28, wherein said buttress shroud defines an elongated slot and said slide member includes a finger extending through said elongated slot into said anvil channel.

[0137] 30. A loading unit, comprising:

[0138] a shipping cover having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a cartridge support member extending from the distal portion to the proximal portion, the cartridge support member including a cartridge engagement surface and resilient fingers extending downwardly on opposite sides of the cartridge engagement surface, the resilient fingers being configured to releasably secure a staple cartridge to the shipping cover;

[0139] a support slide having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the support slide including a first mounting member configured to releasably secure a first end of a support material to the support slide, and the proximal portion of the support slide pivotally secured to the transport cover and including a second mounting member configured to releasably secure a second end of the support material to the support slide; and

[0140] A support shield, which is fixed to the support slide, the support shield and the support slide define an anvil channel, and the anvil channel is constructed to receive an anvil assembly of a surgical suturing device, the support shield and the support slide are capable of pivoting between a first position and a second position relative to the transport cover, in the first position, the support shield and the support slide are aligned juxtaposed with the transport cover, and in the second position, the support shield and the support slide are pivoted away from the transport cover.

Claims

1. A loading unit, comprising: a shipping cover having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a cartridge support member extending from the distal portion to the proximal portion, the cartridge support member including a cartridge engagement surface and resilient fingers extending downwardly on opposite sides of the cartridge engagement surface, the resilient fingers being configured to releasably secure a staple cartridge to the shipping cover; a support slide having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an inner surface, the distal portion of the support slide including a first mounting member configured to secure a first end of a support material to the support slide, and the proximal portion of the support slide pivotally secured to the transport cover and including a second mounting member configured to secure a second end of the support material to the support slide; as well as A support shield is fixed to the support slide, the support shield and the inner surface of the support slide define an anvil channel, and the anvil channel is configured to receive an anvil assembly of a surgical suturing device, the support shield and the support slide are capable of pivoting between a first position and a second position relative to the transport cover, in the first position, the support shield and the support slide are aligned juxtaposed with the transport cover, and in the second position, the support shield and the support slide are pivoted away from the transport cover.

2. The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein: The distal portion of the transport cover includes a grip that defines a cover cavity, and the transport cover includes a locking finger that extends into the cover cavity and is configured to engage the support slide to maintain the support shield and the support slide in the first position.

3. The loading unit according to claim 2, wherein: The first mounting member is positioned within the cover cavity and includes a post.

4. The loading unit according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a support material, wherein The second mounting member includes spaced apart prongs and the buttress material includes semicircular extensions, each of the semicircular extensions defining an opening that receives one of the spaced apart prongs.

5. The loading unit according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The support shroud defines spaced-apart channels extending along the cover cavity, and the support slide includes ribs received within the spaced-apart channels to secure the support shroud to the support slide.

6. The loading unit according to claim 5, wherein: The support shroud defines a triangular cutout within the spaced-apart channels, and the support slide includes a triangular protrusion received within the triangular cutout to secure the support slide to the support shroud.

7. The loading unit of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a biasing member positioned between the support slide and the transport cover, the biasing member being positioned to urge the support shield and the support slide to the second position.

8. The loading unit according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a spring biasing member supported on the second end portion of the support slide, the spring biasing member comprising at least one camming member.

9. The loading unit according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein: The support material is supported on the inner surface of the support slide.

10. The loading unit according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein: The buttress material defines a first opening that receives a post of the buttress sled to secure the buttress material to the buttress sled, and a second opening that is located within the cover cavity and is configured to receive a distal end of an anvil of a tool assembly of a suturing device.

11. The loading unit according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein: The post includes an edge, and the support defines a score aligned with the edge of the post, the edge being configured to cut the support material through the score.

12. The loading unit according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a sliding member and a connecting rod, wherein the sliding member is supported on the support shield and the support slide and can be moved between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the support shield and the support slide.

13. The loading unit according to claim 12, wherein: The link has a first end portion pivotally connected to the transport cover and a second end portion pivotally connected to the sliding member, wherein the sliding member is capable of moving from the proximal position to the distal position to move the support shield and the support slide from the first position to the second position.

14. The loading unit of any one of claims 12 to 13, further comprising a biasing member positioned to urge the slide member to the first position.

15. The loading unit according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein: The support shield defines an elongated slot, and the slide member includes a finger extending through the elongated slot into the anvil channel.

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