Staple cartridge and buttress loading unit with anvil locking slide

Abstract

A staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly is provided that allows staple cartridge and buttress material for an anvil assembly to be loaded 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 buttress slide that supports a locking slide that inhibits separation of the loading unit from the anvil assembly of the tool assembly of the stapling device until the buttress material is loaded onto the anvil assembly.

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, for example, to close tissue or organs in transection, resection, and anastomosis procedures, to occlude organs in thoracic and abdominal surgery, and to electrosurgically fuse or seal tissue.

[0003] An example of such a surgical device is a surgical stapling device. Typically, a surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly having an anvil assembly and a staple cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a channel member and a staple cartridge received within 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 within the channel member after each firing of the stapling device, thereby facilitating reuse of the stapling device.

[0004] In order to strengthen the staple line in the tissue, a buttress material can 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 comprising 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 quickly and efficiently loading a staple cartridge and anvil buttress material onto a tool assembly of a stapling device. The staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly comprises a staple cartridge and a loading unit. The loading unit comprises a buttress slide that supports a locking slide that prevents the loading unit from being separated from the anvil assembly of the tool assembly of the stapling device until the buttress material is loaded onto the anvil assembly.

[0007] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a loading unit comprising a buttress slide, a buttress shield, and a locking slide. The buttress slide comprises a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an inner surface. The distal portion of the buttress slide comprises a first mounting member configured to secure a first end of a buttress material to the buttress slide, and the proximal portion of the buttress slide comprises a second mounting member configured to secure a second end of the buttress material to the buttress slide. The buttress slide comprises spaced guide rails having ratchet teeth. The buttress shield is secured to the buttress slide. The buttress shield and the inner surface of the buttress slide define an anvil channel configured to receive an anvil assembly of a surgical stapling device. The locking slide is movable along the guide rails of the buttress slide from a proximal position to a distal position and comprises a body, a ratchet finger, and an anvil hook. The ratchet fingers are engageable with the ratchet teeth of the buttress sled to facilitate movement of the locking sled in the distal direction within the anvil channel while inhibiting movement of the locking sled in the proximal direction within the anvil channel. The anvil hook is supported on the body of the locking sled and is movable from a first position for engaging an anvil assembly of a surgical tool assembly to a second position for disengaging the anvil assembly from the surgical tool assembly.

[0008] In aspects of the present disclosure, the support slide and the support shield are integrally formed.

[0009] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the locking slide includes an abutment member extending from the body of the locking slide to a position between the spaced apart rails of the support slide.

[0010] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the support slide includes a slide seating portion that extends from at least one of the spaced apart guide rails to a position between the spaced apart guide rails, and the slide seating portion is aligned with the anvil hook to inhibit the locking slide from moving proximally within the anvil channel from the proximal position.

[0011] In aspects of the present disclosure, the slider seating portion includes a first slider seating portion on one of the spaced apart guide rails and a second slider seating portion on the other of the spaced apart guide rails.

[0012] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the anvil hook is supported on the body of the locking slide in a cantilever manner by a resilient arm.

[0013] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the anvil hook includes outwardly extending wings, and each of the spaced apart rails includes a slider ramp.

[0014] In aspects of the present disclosure, the slider ramp is positioned to engage the locking slider when the locking slider is in the distal position to move the anvil hook from the first position to the second position.

[0015] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the buttress material is supported on the buttress slide.

[0016] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the buttress slide includes a body having a planar surface for supporting the buttress material.

[0017] In aspects of the present disclosure, the first mounting member includes a C-shaped member having a protrusion, and the buttress material has a distal portion defining an opening that receives the protrusion.

[0018] In some aspects of the present disclosure, each of the guide rails of the support slide defines a longitudinally extending channel, and the body of the locking slide includes a longitudinally extending rib.

[0019] In aspects of the present disclosure, the longitudinally extending rib is received within the longitudinally extending channel to retain the locking slide on the support slide.

[0020] Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a buttress slide assembly comprising a buttress slide and a locking slide. The buttress slide has a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a flat surface. The distal portion of the buttress slide includes a first mounting member configured to secure a first end of a buttress material to the buttress slide, and the proximal portion of the buttress slide includes a second mounting member configured to secure a second end of the buttress material to the buttress slide. The buttress slide includes spaced guide rails that include ratchet teeth. The locking slide is movable along the guide rails of the buttress slide from a proximal position to a distal position and includes a body, a ratchet finger, and an anvil hook. The ratchet finger is engageable with the ratchet teeth to facilitate distal movement of the locking slide along the buttress slide while inhibiting proximal movement of the locking slide. The anvil hook is supported on the body of the locking slide and is movable from a first position for engaging an anvil assembly of a surgical tool assembly to a second position for disengaging the anvil assembly of the surgical tool assembly.

[0021] Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Various aspects of the disclosed loading unit are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] 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;

[0024] Figure 2 It is from Figure 1 a side perspective view from below of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly shown;

[0025] Figure 3 It is separated from the nail magazine Figure 1 a side perspective view from below of the loading unit of the illustrated staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly;

[0026] Figure 4 It is from Figure 1 a side perspective view from above of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly shown;

[0027] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A side perspective exploded view of the loading unit is shown;

[0028] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 a side perspective view of a support slide of the loading unit shown with support material supported on the support slide;

[0029] Figure 7 It is along Figure 5 a cross-sectional view taken along section line 7-7;

[0030] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 An enlarged view of the indicated area of ​​detail is shown;

[0031] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 a bottom perspective view of the support slide and support shield of the loading unit shown with the parts separated;

[0032] Figure 10 When the support guard is slid onto the support slide Figure 1 a bottom perspective view of the support slide and support shield of the loading unit shown;

[0033] Figure 11 yes Figure 1 a bottom perspective view of a support slide and support shield of the loading unit shown with the support shield slid onto the support slide;

[0034] Figure 12 It is along Figure 2 a cross-sectional view taken along section line 12-12;

[0035] Figure 13 It is along Figure 2 a cross-sectional view taken along section line 13-13;

[0036] Figure 14 It is along Figure 1 a cross-sectional view taken along section line 14-14;

[0037] Figure 15 is a side perspective view of a staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly positioned adjacent a distal end of a tool assembly of a stapling device;

[0038] Figure 15A It is from Figure 15 a perspective view of the tool assembly as viewed from below of an anvil;

[0039] Figure 16 It is along Figure 15 a cross-sectional view taken along section line 16-16;

[0040] Figure 17 yes Figure 15 a side perspective view of the tool assembly and the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly shown, wherein the anvil assembly of the tool assembly is received in a channel defined between a buttress shield and a buttress sled of the loading unit;

[0041] Figure 18 It is along Figure 17 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 18-18;

[0042] Figure 19 When the anvil assembly is slid into the channel defined between the support shield and the support slide of the loading unit, it passes through Figure 16 A side cross-sectional view of the anvil assembly and the buttress shield and buttress slide of the loading unit is shown;

[0043] Figure 20 is a side cross-sectional view taken through an anvil assembly and a buttress shroud and buttress slide of a loading unit, wherein the anvil assembly is received within a channel defined between the buttress shroud and buttress slide of the loading unit;

[0044] Figure 21 is a side cross-sectional view taken through the tool assembly and the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly, wherein the anvil assembly is received within a channel defined between a buttress shield and a buttress sled of the loading unit;

[0045] Figure 22 It is along Figure 21 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 22-22;

[0046] Figure 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 the tool assembly;

[0047] Figure 24 For the Figure 23 a cross-sectional view taken along section line 24-24;

[0048] Figure 25 The staple cartridge of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly is received within the channel member of the tool assembly and disengaged from the loading unit. Figure 23 A cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge and channel of the cartridge assembly of the tool assembly is shown;

[0049] Figure 26 yes Figure 16 a side view of the loading unit shown supported on the anvil assembly of the tool assembly with the staple cartridge received in the channel member of the tool assembly and the buttress slide and shipping cover of the loading unit pivoted back toward the buttress shield of the loading unit;

[0050] Figure 27 When the loading unit is Figure 16 a side perspective view of the loading unit of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly with the anvil assembly of the tool assembly shown removed;

[0051] Figure 28 yes Figure 27 an enlarged perspective view of a proximal portion of the anvil assembly shown with a buttress attached thereto;

[0052] Figure 29 It is in the first position Figure 1 A side perspective view of an alternative form of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly is shown;

[0053] Figure 30 It is from Figure 29 A side perspective exploded view of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly as viewed from below is shown;

[0054] Figure 31 It is along Figure 29 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 31-31;

[0055] Figure 32 The first position is when the loading unit is slid onto the anvil assembly of the stapling device. Figure 29 a side perspective view of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly shown;

[0056] Figure 33When the loading unit is slid onto the anvil assembly of the stapling device and the loading unit moves from a first position to a second position to load the staple cartridge into the channel member of the stapling device Figure 29 a side perspective view of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly shown;

[0057] Figure 34 It is from Figure 1 A side perspective view from above of an alternate form of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly is shown;

[0058] Figure 35 It is from Figure 34 a side perspective view from below of the staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly shown;

[0059] Figure 36 yes Figure 35 A side perspective exploded view of the loading unit is shown;

[0060] Figure 37 yes Figure 36 An enlarged view of the indicated area of ​​detail is shown;

[0061] Figure 38 yes Figure 36 a side perspective view of a support slide of the loading unit shown with support material supported on the support slide and the locking slide in a retracted position;

[0062] Figure 39 yes Figure 36 a side perspective view of the locking slide of the loading unit shown;

[0063] Figure 40 is a side perspective view of a tool assembly including an anvil assembly and a channel member, wherein the tool assembly is in an open or released position;

[0064] Figure 40 a is Figure 40 An enlarged view of a distal portion of the anvil assembly is shown;

[0065] Figure 41 When the anvil is inserted into the elongated cavity defined by the support shield and the support slide Figure 34 The staple cartridge and support loading unit assembly shown and Figure 40 A top view of the tool assembly is shown;

[0066] Figure 42 It is along Figure 41 A cross-sectional view taken along section line 42-42;

[0067] Figure 43 It is along Figure 41 a cross-sectional view taken along section line 43-43;

[0068] Figure 44 is passed through as the anvil is further inserted into the elongated cavity defined by the buttress shield and the buttress slide. Figure 34 The stent shield and stent slide of the staple cartridge and stent loading unit assembly shown and Figure 40 a cross-sectional view taken through the anvil of the tool assembly shown;

[0069] Figure 45 is passed through when the anvil is further inserted into the elongated cavity defined by the support shield and the support slide Figure 34 The stent shield and stent slide of the staple cartridge and stent loading unit assembly shown and Figure 40 a cross-sectional view taken through the anvil of the tool assembly shown;

[0070] Figure 46 is passed through as the anvil is further inserted into the elongated cavity defined by the buttress shield and the buttress slide. Figure 34 The stent shield and stent slide of the staple cartridge and stent loading unit assembly shown and Figure 40 The tool components shown are from Figure 45 The cross-section shown is offset ninety degrees from the anvil for a cross-sectional view;

[0071] Figure 47 is when the anvil approaches a fully inserted position within the elongated cavity defined by the buttress shield and buttress slide Figure 34 The staple cartridge and support loading unit assembly shown and Figure 40 A top view of the tool assembly is shown;

[0072] Figure 48 It is along Figure 47 a cross-sectional view taken along section line 48-48;

[0073] Figure 49 It is along Figure 47 a cross-sectional view taken along section line 49-49; and

[0074] Figure 50 It passes through Figure 34 The stent shield and stent slide of the staple cartridge and stent loading unit assembly shown and Figure 40 A cross-sectional view of an anvil of a tool assembly is shown with the anvil fully inserted into the elongated cavity defined by the buttress shroud and buttress slide. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] The disclosed staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like or corresponding elements in each of the several views. However, it should be understood that various aspects of the present disclosure are merely examples of the present disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or configurations are not described in detail so as not to obscure the present disclosure with unnecessary detail. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but rather as merely a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any suitable specific configuration.

[0076] In this description, the term "proximal" is generally used to refer to the portion of the device that is closer to the clinician, while the term "distal" is generally used to refer to the portion of the device that is farther from the clinician. Additionally, the term "endoscopic" is generally used to refer to endoscopy, laparoscopy, arthroscopy, and / or any other procedure performed through a small diameter incision or cannula. Additionally, the term "clinician" is generally used to refer to medical personnel, including physicians, nurses, surgeons, and support staff. Additionally, directional terms (such as front, back, upper, lower, top, bottom), and similar terms are used to aid understanding of this specification and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0077] The present disclosure relates to a staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly for quickly and efficiently loading a staple cartridge and buttress material for an anvil assembly onto a tool assembly of a stapling device. The staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly includes a staple cartridge and a loading unit. The loading unit includes a buttress slide that supports a locking slide that prevents the loading unit from being separated from the anvil assembly of the tool assembly of the stapling device until the buttress material is loaded onto the anvil assembly.

[0078] Figures 1 to 4 A staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated and generally shown as assembly 10. Assembly 10 includes a staple cartridge 12 ( Figure 4 ) and a loading unit 14. The loading unit 14 includes a shipping cover 16, a buttress slide 18, and a buttress shield 20. The staple cartridge 12 is releasably coupled to the loading unit 14, as described in further detail below.

[0079] Figure 4 The nail cartridge 12 is illustrated, and the nail cartridge includes a cartridge body 22, a cartridge shield 24, nails 26 ( Figure 12 )、Propeller 28( Figure 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 positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot 34 and receives the staples 26 and the pusher 28. The knife slot 34 receives a knife (not shown) of a stapling device. The cartridge body 22 includes an inner surface 36 ( Figure 12 ), through which the knife slot 34 and the staple receiving slot 32 extend. 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 pushers 28 ( Figure 12 ) is retained in the nail receiving slot 32 of the magazine body 22.

[0080] Figure 5 An exploded view of the loading unit 14 including the shipping cover 16, the support slide 18, and the support shield 20 is illustrated. 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 an elongated channel 48 extending along each side of the cavity 46 from the first end of the support shield 20 to the second end of the support shield 20. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the first end of the elongated body 44 of the support shield 20 includes a cover 50 that is integrally formed with the elongated body 44 and defines a recess 52. The elongated body 44 further defines an internal cutout 54 positioned adjacent to the end of each of the elongated channels 48 and a recess 56 positioned in opposing sidewalls of the elongated body 44 of the support shield 20. The 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. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the cutout 54 has a triangular configuration and the recess 56 has a rectangular configuration.

[0081] Figures 5 to 7 Illustrated is a buttress sled 18 comprising an elongated body 60 having a flat inner surface 62 and ribs 64 extending along the outer edge of the flat inner surface 62 along each side of the elongated body 60. The ribs 64 are received within the channels 48 of the buttress shield 20 to couple the buttress sled 18 to the buttress shield 20. The ribs 64 define recesses 64a that align with the recesses 56 in the buttress 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 past the post 70 toward the first end of the support slide 18. In 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 slider 18 includes a protrusion 74 having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the cutout 54 and being received within the cutout 54 of the support shield 20 when the support slider 18 is slid into the channel 48 of the support shield 20 to secure the support slider 18 to the support shield 20. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the first end of the support slider 18 has a cover 76 that is shaped to enclose the first end of the recess of the support shield 20.

[0082] Support slide 18 ( Figure 9 ) has a lower surface that includes two downward longitudinal ribs 81. Each of the ribs 81 has a flange 82 positioned on the second end of the support slide 18, which defines a through hole 84. The flange 82 is configured to pivotally couple the support slide 18 to the shipping cover 16 of the loading unit 14. The second end of the support slide 18 also includes: a mounting structure that is configured to couple the second support material 66 to the second end of the support slide 18; and a spring biasing member 88 that is positioned between the spaced apart prongs 86. In aspects of the present disclosure, the mounting structure includes the spaced apart prongs 86. The spring biasing member 88 includes two cam members 88a that will be further described below.

[0083] Figures 5 to 8 18. A second buttress material 66 is illustrated that is supported on the inner flat surface 62 of the buttress sled 18 and includes a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The distal end 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 ( Figure 15 As described above, the cap 72 of the mounting member 68 extends beyond the post 70 to hook the distal end 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 first opening 90a ( Figure 8) includes notches or recesses 66a ( Figure 27 ), which notch or recess receives edge 70a of post 70 ( Figure 7 ) to facilitate cutting of second buttress material 66, as described in further detail below. The proximal end portion of second buttress material 66 includes spaced apart extensions 92. Each of extensions 92 defines an opening 92a that receives one of the spaced apart prongs 86 of buttress slide 18 to secure the proximal end portion of second buttress material 66 to buttress slide 18. In various aspects of the present disclosure, extensions 92 have a semicircular configuration and curve around the proximal end of buttress slide 18. The proximal end portion of second buttress material 66 also defines a transverse slot 92b.

[0084] Figure 3 、 Figure 5 and Figure 12 The shipping cap 16 is illustrated and includes a body 104 having a distal end portion forming a grip 106 and defining a cavity 108 and a longitudinally extending cartridge support member 110 ( Figure 12 ). A bin support member 110 extends from within the cavity 108 and forms a proximal end portion of the shipping cover 16. The bin support member 110 includes two spaced apart, upwardly extending ribs 112 ( Figure 5 ), the two spaced apart upwardly extending ribs extend from the grip portion 106 along the proximal end portion of the body 104. Each of the upwardly extending ribs 112 includes a flange 114 positioned on the second end of the shipping cover 16, the second end 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 shipping cover 16. The secured support slide 18 and support shield 20 are capable of pivoting relative to the shipping 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 shipping cover 16, and a second position in which the support slide 18 and support shield 20 are angled relative to the shipping cover 16 and spaced apart from the cavity 108 defined by the grip 106. A pivot member 120 supports a spring or biasing member 121 positioned between the bin support member 110 of the shipping 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 contemplated.

[0085] The body 104 of the shipping cover 16 includes two flexible locking fingers 122 that extend into the cavity 108 defined by the grip portion 106 and align with the recesses 64 a in the rib 64 of the buttress sled 18. When the buttress shield 20 and buttress sled 18 are pivoted to a first position within the cavity 108 defined by the grip portion 106, the locking fingers 122 flex past the buttress sled 18 and extend through the recesses 64 a in the buttress sled 18 into the anvil channel 46 a to a position on top of the flat inner surface 62 of the buttress sled 18 to retain the buttress sled 18 in the first position within the cavity 108 of the grip portion 106.

[0086] The bin support member 110 of the shipping cover 16 supports the resilient fingers 124 ( Figure 3 ), which extends downwardly from the cartridge support member 110 and is positioned to engage the staple cartridge 12 to abut against the cartridge support member 110 ( Figure 12 ) is coupled to the lower surface of the staple cartridge 12. More specifically, the resilient fingers 124 engage the shoulders 126 ( Figure 12 ) to releasably secure the staple cartridge 12 to the cartridge support member 110 of the shipping cover 16. When the staple cartridge 12 is supported on the cartridge support member 110 of the shipping 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 pushers 28 from falling out of 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.

[0087] Figures 9 to 11 The buttress slide 18 is illustrated 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 rib 64 of the buttress slide 18 is positioned within the channel 48 of the buttress shield 20, and the buttress slide 18 and the buttress shield 20 are moved relative to each other in the direction indicated by arrow "A" until the protrusion 74 of the buttress slide 18 is received in the notch 54 of the buttress shield 20. When this occurs, the protrusion 74 and the notch 54 are configured to lock 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 ( Figure 13 When the support slider 18 is secured to the support shield 20 , the recessed portion 64 a of the support slider 18 is aligned with the recessed portion 56 of the support shield 20 .

[0088] Although the support slide 18 and the support shield 20 are shown as two separate components coupled together, it is contemplated that the support slide 18 and the support shield 20 may be formed as a unitary construction, such as by molding. Figure 30 In 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.

[0089] The assembly 10 is configured to load a staple cartridge 12 comprising a first buttress material 30 and a second buttress material 66 onto the tool assembly 100. The tool assembly 100 is Figure 15 and Figure 15A 1 and includes a channel member 130 and anvil assembly 132. Channel member 130 includes a bottom wall 134 and side walls 136 that define a cavity 138 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 cavity 138 defined by channel member 130 of tool assembly 100.

[0090] Anvil assembly 132 includes a staple forming surface 142 that defines a knife slot 144 and a row of forming pockets 145 aligned on each side of knife slot 144. Anvil assembly 132 supports a pair of buttress retention springs 146 positioned proximal to forming pockets 145. Each buttress retention spring 146 has a proximal portion secured to anvil assembly 132, such as by welding, and includes a hook 148 and a ramp member 150. Ramp member 150 is positioned closer to knife slot 144 than hook 148 and projects from staple forming surface 142 of anvil assembly 132 in a direction toward staple cartridge 12. When buttress retention springs 146 are in an undeformed state, hook 148 is positioned further from knife slot 144 than ramp member 150, within pockets 152 formed in anvil assembly 132.

[0091] Figure 15 and Figure 16 The assembly 10 and tool assembly 100 are illustrated immediately prior to loading the staple cartridge 12 and the second buttress material 66 onto the tool assembly 100. As illustrated, the buttress sled 18 is coupled to the buttress shield 20, as described above, and the buttress sled is pivotally coupled to the shipping cover 16 by 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 buttress shield 20 are received in the cavity 108 of the grip portion 106 of the shipping cover 16. As described above, the buttress sled 18 is secured to the shipping cover 16 by the locking fingers 122 ( Figure 14The second support material 66 is supported on the flat inner surface 62 of the support slide 18 and the post 70 of the mounting member 68 is received within the first opening 90 a in the second support material 66 .

[0092] Figures 17 to 22 The anvil assembly 132 is illustrated as being inserted into the anvil channel 46a defined by the buttress shield 20 and the buttress slide 18. Figure 18 and Figure 19 8 and 8. When the buttress sled 18 is inserted into the anvil channel 46a in the direction of arrow "B" in FIG, the ramp member 150 of the buttress retaining spring 146 engages the cam member 88a of the spring biasing member 88 of the buttress slide 18 and is biased in a direction toward the channel member 130 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 over the cam member 88a of the spring biasing member 88 of the buttress slide 18, the buttress retaining spring 146 is Figure 20 The hook 148 is returned to its undeformed state in the direction of arrow "C" in the figure, so that the hook 148 moves through the transverse slot 92b in the second buttress material 66 back into the recess 152 formed in the anvil assembly 132 to secure the second buttress material 66 to the anvil assembly 132.

[0093] like Figure 15A As shown, the anvil assembly 132 includes a tapered distal end portion 160 and defines a cam surface 162 that increases in width in the proximal direction. When the anvil assembly 132 is fully received within the anvil channel 46a defined by the buttress slide 18 and the buttress shield 20, the cam surface 162 of the anvil assembly 132 engages the locking finger 122 of the shipping cover 16 and Figure 22 1 and 2. The locking fingers 122 are biased outwardly in the direction indicated by arrow "D" in FIG. 2 to disengage buttress sled 18. This facilitates movement of buttress sled 18 and buttress shield 20 from the first position to the second position and permits staple cartridge 12 to pivot toward channel member 130 of tool assembly 100. As described above, biasing member 121 is positioned to cause buttress sled 18 to pivot about pivot member 120 from the first position to the second position.

[0094] Figures 23 to 25The staple cartridge 12 is illustrated as the shipping cover 16 is pivoted about the pivot member 120 away from the buttress sled 18 and the buttress shield 20 toward the channel member 130 of the tool assembly 100. Once the locking fingers 122 of the shipping cover 16 are disengaged from the buttress sled 18, the gripping portion of the shipping cover 16 can be grasped and moved along the Figure 23 130 , the tool assembly 100 is pivoted in the direction indicated by the arrow "E" in FIG. 1 . 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 shipping cover. As the shipping cover 16 is pivoted toward the channel member 130, the staple cartridge 12 supported on the lower surface of the shipping cover 16 is moved into the cavity 138 defined by the channel member 130. As the staple cartridge 12 enters the cavity 138 of the channel member 130, the protrusions 40 on the cartridge body 22 of the staple cartridge 12 are received within the recesses 140 formed in the sidewalls 136 of the channel member 130. When the staple cartridge 12 is in the cavity 138 Figure 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 in the direction of arrow "F" Figure 24 and Figure 25 Push the resilient fingers 124 outward in the direction of arrow “G” in FIG. 1 to disengage the staple cartridge from the shipping cover 16 .

[0095] Figures 26 to 28 The tool assembly 100 and the loading unit 14 are illustrated after the staple cartridge 12 has been loaded into the channel member 130 of the tool assembly 100. Once the staple cartridge 12 has been loaded into the channel member 130 of the tool assembly 100, the shipping cover 16 of the loading unit 14 may be closed. Figure 26 The support slide 18 and the support shield 20 can be pivoted back in the direction of the arrow "H" in FIG. Figure 27 1 and 2. The buttress sled 18 and buttress shield 20 are slid from the anvil assembly 132 of the tool assembly 100 in the direction of arrow "I" in FIG. As the buttress sled 18 and buttress shield 20 are slid from the anvil assembly 132, the edge 70a of the post 70 of the buttress sled 18 cuts through the score 66a in the end of the second buttress material 66 to allow the buttress material 66 to be separated from the buttress sled 18. When the buttress sled 18 is removed from the anvil assembly 132, the spaced apart prongs 86 of the buttress sled 18 are pulled through the extension 92 ( Figure 5 ) in the opening 92a. When the buttress slide 18 is removed from the anvil assembly 132, the buttress retaining spring 146 of the anvil assembly 132 secures the proximal end of the second buttress material 66 to the proximal end of the anvil assembly 132 ( Figure 28), and receiving the distal end of anvil assembly 132 within second opening 90 b of second buttress material 66 secures the distal end of second buttress material 66 to the distal end of anvil assembly 132. It should be noted that when second buttress material 66 is secured to anvil assembly 132, ramp member 150 of buttress retaining spring 146 is covered by second buttress material 66 to allow spring biasing member 88 of buttress sled 18 to pass over ramp member 150, thereby allowing buttress sled 18 to separate from anvil assembly 132.

[0096] Figures 29 to 31 An 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 shipping cover 216, a buttress slide 218, and a buttress shield 220. Buttress slide 218 and buttress shield 220 are integrally formed, and staple cartridge 212 is releasably coupled to loading unit 214, as described in further detail below.

[0097] The staple cartridge 212 is similar to the staple cartridge 12 ( Figure 4 ), and includes a cartridge body 222, a cartridge shield 224, staples and pushers (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 the staples and pushers. The cartridge body 222 includes an inner surface 236 through which a knife slot (not shown) and staple receiving slots 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.

[0098] Figure 30 An exploded view of a loading unit 214 including a shipping cover 216, a buttress slide 218, and a buttress shield 220 is illustrated. As described above, the buttress slide 218 and the buttress shield 220 are integrally formed and define an anvil channel 242 having an open proximal end 242a. The buttress shield 220 defines an elongated slot 244 that extends through the buttress shield 220 and communicates with the anvil channel 242. The buttress shield 220 and / or the buttress 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 ( Figure 33)superior.

[0099] The support slide 218 includes a lower surface ( Figure 30 ), the lower surface of the buttress slide 218 including two downwardly extending flanges 250 positioned on a proximal portion of the buttress 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 buttress slide 218 to the shipping cover 216 of the loading unit 214, as described in further detail below. The buttress slide 218 and / or the buttress shield 220 define a channel 256 that extends along a distal portion of a sidewall of the buttress slide 218 and / or the buttress shield 220.

[0100] The loading unit 214 includes a sliding member 258 having a substantially C-shaped configuration and capable of sliding about the outer surface of the support shield 220. The sliding member 258 includes a sidewall 258a having an inwardly extending protrusion 260 that is received in the channel 256 of the support slider 218 and / or the support shield 220. The sliding member 258 also includes a downwardly extending finger 262 ( Figure 31 ), the downwardly extending fingers are received within the elongated slots 244 of the support shield 220 and extend into the anvil channel 256. The sidewall 258a also defines two through-holes 263 that receive pivot members 264 as described below.

[0101] The shipping cover 216 includes a longitudinally extending bin support member 270 having an inner surface ( Figure 30 ). 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 that defines a through-hole 280a. The pivot member 252 extends through the through-hole 274a of the shipping cover 216 and through the through-hole 250a of the support slide 218 ( Figure 30 ) to pivotally couple the proximal portion of the support slide 218 to the proximal portion of the shipping cover 216. The bin support member 270 of the shipping cover 216 includes a resilient finger 281 ( Figure 29 ), which extend downwardly from cartridge support member 270 and are positioned to engage staple cartridge 212 to force staple cartridge 212 against cartridge support member 270 ( Figure 29 ) is coupled to the outer surface of the staple cartridge 212. More specifically, the resilient fingers 281 engage a shoulder (e.g., shoulder 126 ( Figure 12)) to releasably secure the staple cartridge 212 to the cartridge support member 270 of the shipping cover 216. When the staple cartridge 212 is supported on the cartridge support member 270 of the shipping cover 216, the cartridge support member 270 includes a cartridge engagement surface 270a ( Figure 31 ), which cartridge engagement surface covers the outer surface of the cartridge body 222 of the staple cartridge 212 to prevent staples and pushers from falling out of 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 ( Figure 31 ), the stepped surface is positioned to engage the outer surface of the bin body 222.

[0102] The loading unit 214 includes a link 284 that couples the shipping cover 216 to the support shield 218. In 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 shipping cover 216 to pivotally couple the link 284 to the distal portion of the shipping cover 216.

[0103] The loading unit 214 includes a biasing member 292 positioned to urge the sliding member 258 proximally on the buttress shield 220 and urge the shipping cover 216 toward the first position in which the shipping 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 collar 294 received around a pivot member 296 received through a through hole 276a of the center flange 276 of the shipping cover 216 and a second collar 298 received around a pivot member 264 of the sliding member 258. Alternatively, other types of biasing members may be used to urge the shipping cover toward the first position.

[0104] Although the internal configuration of buttress slide 218 and buttress shield 220 for supporting and delivering buttress material to the anvil assembly is not described in detail herein, it is contemplated that the features described above with respect to buttress slide 18 and buttress shield 20 may be included in buttress slide 218 and buttress shield 220 to support and deliver second material 66 ( Figure 5 ) to the anvil assembly 132.

[0105] Figure 32 and Figure 33 The example shows that when the loading unit 214 is used to load the second support material 66 ( Figure 5) onto the anvil assembly 132 and the staple cartridge 212 is loaded into the tool assembly 100 of the stapling device ( Figure 15 ) in the channel member 130. Prior to use, the loading unit 200 having the staple cartridge 212 attached to the shipping cover 216 is pushed into a first position in which the shipping cover 216 is longitudinally aligned with the buttress slide 218 and the buttress shield 220. In use, the assembly 200 is positioned to align the distal end of the anvil assembly 132 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 achieved by pulling the grip 246 proximally to engage the anvil channel 256. Figure 32 As the anvil assembly 132 moves through the anvil channel 256, the distal end of the anvil assembly 132 engages the finger 262 ( Figure 31 ) so that the sliding member 258 resists the push of the biasing member 292 Figure 33 216 moves distally along the support slide 218 and the support cover 220 in the direction of arrow "K". When the slide member 258 moves in the direction of arrow "K", the link 284 pivots to allow the shipping cover 216 to move distally. Figure 33 130 to position staple cartridge 212 within channel member 130 of tool assembly 100. As staple cartridge 212 enters channel member 130, resilient fingers 281 of shipping cover 216 engage the sidewalls of channel member 130 to release staple cartridge 212 from the shipping cover.

[0106] Figures 34 to 50 Another alternative staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly is illustrated, generally shown as assembly 300. Assembly 300 is similar to staple cartridge and buttress loading unit assembly 10 ( Figure 1 ), but also includes a locking slide that inhibits or prevents the anvil assembly from being separated from the loading unit until the buttress material is completely loaded onto the anvil assembly. The locking slide and anvil assembly are described in further detail below.

[0107] Figure 34 and Figure 35 The example includes a staple cartridge 312 ( Figure 35 ) and a loading unit 314. The loading unit 314 includes a shipping cover 316 ( Figure 36 ), buttress slide 318 and buttress shield 320. In aspects of the present disclosure, buttress shield 320 and buttress slide 318 may be integrally formed. Staple cartridge 312 supports a first buttress material (not shown) and is substantially similar to staple cartridge 12 ( Figure 4 ). Therefore, the staple cartridge 312 will not be described in detail herein.

[0108] Figure 36 An exploded view of a loading unit 314 including a shipping cover 316, a support shield 320, and a support slide 318 is illustrated. Figure 5 ), the buttress slide 318 and the buttress shield 320 are fixed together to form an integral unit. The buttress shield 320 includes a body 322 having a top wall 324, side walls 326 extending downward from opposite sides of the top wall 324, and an end wall 328 positioned on the distal end of the body 322. Each of the side walls 326 has a downwardly extending tab 330 (including a distal-most tab 330a) that is spaced apart along a portion of the length of the side wall 326. The end wall 328 and the distal-most tab 330a define a narrow slot 334 (only one is shown). In various aspects of the present disclosure, the top wall 324 of the buttress shield 320 defines an opening 336. The opening 336 allows the clinician to see the anvil assembly as it is inserted into the buttress slide 318 to ensure that the anvil assembly is inserted to the appropriate depth. Buttress slide 318 includes a body 340 having a flat surface 342 that supports second buttress material 366. Body 340 includes a distal portion having a C-shaped mounting member 344 and a proximal portion including a mounting structure comprising spaced prongs 386 configured to couple second buttress material 366 to the proximal end of buttress slide 318. The proximal portion of body 340 also includes a spring biasing member 388 positioned between spaced prongs 386. Spring biasing member 388 includes two cam members 388a. Spaced prongs 386 and spring biasing member 388 function in the same manner as spaced prongs 86 and spring biasing member 88 described above and will not be described in further detail herein.

[0109] The C-shaped mounting member 344 of the buttress slide 318 extends upward from the flat surface 342 of the buttress slide 318 toward the buttress shield 320 and is positioned in the anvil channel 346a ( Figure 42 C-shaped mounting member 344 includes a protrusion 344a that is received within an opening 367a defined in the distal portion of second buttress material 366 to secure the distal portion of second buttress material 366 to buttress slide 318.

[0110] The buttress slide 318 includes a notch 364 and a tab 364a. The tab 364a of the buttress slide 318 defines the distal-most notch 364. The notch 364 receives the tab 330 of the buttress shield 320 to secure the buttress slide 318 to the buttress shield 320. When the buttress shield 320 is secured to the buttress slide 318, the buttress shield 320 and the buttress slide 318 define an integral unit that defines the anvil channel 346a ( Figure 42 ). A C-shaped mounting member 344 is positioned within anvil channel 346a proximal to the end wall 328 of the buttress shield 320.

[0111] Figures 36 to 38 The buttress slide 318 is illustrated as including spaced apart guide rails 360 positioned on the flat surface 342 of the body 340 of the buttress slide 318 and extending upward within the anvil channel 346a toward the buttress shield 320. Each of the guide rails 360 includes an outer surface defining a longitudinally extending channel 360a ( Figure 37 ) and includes or supports ratchet teeth 362 and an overhang 368 that projects inwardly from the guide rails 360 toward the other guide rail 360. The ratchet teeth 362 on each of the guide rails 360 are longitudinally aligned with each other along the outer surface of the guide rails 360 and include an angled proximal surface 362a ( Figure 37 ) and a distal stop surface 362b that is perpendicular to the outer sidewall of the corresponding guide rail 360. Each of the overhangs 368 includes a slider seating portion 370 and a slider ramp portion 372. The slider seating portion 370 extends inwardly from the overhang 368 of the guide rail 368 on the proximal portion of the overhang 368. The slider ramp portion 372 extends inwardly from the distal portion of the overhang 368 of the guide rail 360 and includes a proximally facing angled surface 372a ( Figure 38 ).

[0112] Using the pivot member 374 ( Figure 36 ) pivotally couples the support slide 318 to the shipping cover 316 to facilitate movement of the support slide 318 between the first position and the second position relative to the support cover 316, as described above with respect to the loading unit 14. The pivot member 376 supports a spring or biasing member 378 positioned between the shipping cover 316 and the support slide 318 to urge the support slide 318 to the second position. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the spring 378 is in the form of a torsion spring, but other types of biasing members are contemplated.

[0113] Shipping cap 316 is similar to shipping cap 16 ( Figure 5), and includes a body 380 having a distal end portion forming a grip 382 and defining a cavity 384 and a longitudinally extending cartridge support member 386 ( Figure 12 Similar to the shipping cap 16, the body 380 of the shipping cap 316 includes two flexible locking fingers 390 that extend into the cavity 384 defined by the gripping portion 382 and engage with recesses 392 ( Figure 36 When buttress shroud 320 and buttress sled 318 are pivoted to a first position within cavity 384 defined by grip portion 382, ​​locking finger 390 flexes past buttress sled 318 and extends through recess 392 in buttress sled 318 into anvil channel 346a to a position atop flat surface 342 of buttress sled 318 to retain buttress sled 318 in the first position within cavity 384 of grip portion 382.

[0114] Figure 36 、 Figure 38 and Figure 39 The locking slide 400 of the loading unit 314 is illustrated, which inhibits or prevents the anvil assembly 502 ( Figure 40 ) is separated from the loading unit 314 until the second buttress material 366 is properly loaded onto the anvil assembly 502. The locking slide 400 includes a body 402 including an upper wall 404 and side walls 406. Each of the side walls 406 includes a longitudinally extending rib 408 and supports a ratchet finger 410. Each of the longitudinally extending ribs 408 is received in a channel 360a ( Figure 37 ), so that the locking slide 400 can slide along the guide rail 360 in the anvil channel 346a. Each of the ratchet fingers 410 is supported in a cantilever manner on one of the side walls 406 of the locking slide 400 and includes a protrusion 412 that is positioned to sequentially engage the ratchet teeth 362 on the guide rail 360 of the buttress slide 318 when the locking slide 400 moves from a proximal position to a distal position on the guide rail 360. The protrusions 412 each include an angled distally facing surface 412a.

[0115] The upper wall 404 of the locking slide 400 includes a downwardly extending abutment member 414 and a downwardly extending anvil hook 416. The anvil hook 416 is supported in a cantilever manner on a resilient arm 418 of the locking slide 400 and includes an angled proximally facing surface 416a. The anvil hook 416 extends downwardly between the guide rails 360 of the buttress slide 318 within the anvil channel 346a and includes laterally extending wings 420. Each of the wings 420 includes an angled distal surface 420a.

[0116] Figure 40 and Figure 40A The tool assembly 500 is illustrated immediately prior to loading the staple cartridge 312 and the second buttress material 366 onto the tool assembly 500. The tool assembly 500 is substantially as shown in FIG. Figure 15 and Figure 15A 312 and includes a channel member 530 and anvil assembly 532. Channel member 530 includes a bottom wall 534 and side walls 536 that define a cavity 538 sized to receive staple cartridge 312. Anvil assembly 532 includes a staple forming surface 542 that defines a knife slot 544 and forming pockets 546 aligned in a row on each side of knife slot 544.

[0117] Anvil assembly 532 and anvil assembly 132 ( Figure 15A ) is different in that the distal portion of the anvil assembly 532 has a defined recess 550 ( Figure 40 ) and an inner surface including a distally extending finger 552 that is positioned to receive the anvil hook 416 of the locking slide 400 and that is positioned to extend through an opening 367 ( Figure 36 Finger 552 has a proximal end secured to the body of anvil assembly 532 and a distal portion spaced apart from the body of anvil assembly 532 ( Figure 42 ).

[0118] Figures 41 to 43 The anvil assembly 532 and the loading unit 314 are illustrated as the anvil assembly 532 is inserted into the anvil channel 346a of the loading unit 314. Figure 41 and Figure 42 is inserted into the anvil channel 346a ( Figure 42 ), the wings 420 of the anvil hook 416 of the locking slide 400 engage the slide seating portion 370 of the buttress slide 318 to inhibit or prevent the locking slide from being moved in the anvil channel 346a ( Figure 42) is moved distally. When anvil assembly 532 is moved further into anvil channel 346a of loading unit 314 in the direction of arrow “A”, distal portion 532a of anvil assembly 532 engages proximally facing surface 416a ( Figure 43 ), and Figure 44 The anvil hook 416 is biased upward in the direction of arrow “B” in FIG. 4 to lift the wing portion 420 of the anvil hook 416 above the slide seating portion 370 .

[0119] As anvil assembly 532 is further advanced into anvil channel 346a of loading unit 314, a distal portion of anvil assembly 532 engages abutment member 414 of locking slide 400 and Figure 45 The locking slide 400 is advanced distally in the direction of arrow "C" in FIG. As the locking slide 400 moves distally in the anvil channel 346a, the anvil hook 416 supported on the resilient arm 418 of the locking slide 400 engages the anvil hook 416. Figure 45 550 of anvil assembly 532. When anvil hook 416 is received in recess 550 of anvil assembly 532, the engagement between anvil hook 370 and the distal surface of recess 550 of anvil assembly 532 inhibits or prevents anvil assembly 532 from being withdrawn from anvil channel 346a of loading unit 314.

[0120] Figure 46 The locking slide 400 is illustrated when it is pushed along the guide rail 360 of the support slide 318. Figure 46 346a.

[0121] Figures 47 to 50The anvil assembly 532 and the loading unit 314 are illustrated when the anvil assembly 532 is fully inserted into the anvil channel 346a of the loading unit 314 in the direction indicated by arrow "F". When the anvil assembly 532 is fully inserted into the anvil channel 346a, the wings 420 of the anvil hook 416 of the locking slide 400 engage the angled surfaces 372a of the slide ramps 372 on the guide rails 360 of the buttress slide 318 to lock the anvil assembly 532 into the anvil channel 346a. Figure 50 54. Anvil hook 416 is pushed upward in the direction indicated by arrow "G" in FIG. As anvil hook 416 moves upward, anvil hook 416 moves from notch 550 in anvil assembly 532 to disengage anvil assembly 532 from locking slide 400. When this occurs, anvil assembly 532 can be withdrawn from anvil channel 346a of the loading unit.

[0122] When anvil assembly 532 is fully inserted into anvil channel 532, fingers 552 on the distal portion of anvil assembly 532 pass through opening 367 ( Figure 36 ) to hook the second buttress material 366 onto the distal portion of the anvil assembly 532. When this occurs, the distal end of the anvil assembly 532 presses onto the second buttress material 366 to hook the distal portion 366a ( Figure 38 ) is separated from the remainder of the buttress material 366. The buttress material 366 may include a tear line 366b ( Figure 38 ) to facilitate the distal portion 366a ( Figure 38 ) is separated from the remaining portion of the support material 366.

[0123] In the same manner as described above with respect to the support material 66 ( Figure 5 ) releases the proximal portion of buttress material 366 from spaced apart prongs 386 of buttress sled 318 in the same manner as described above. Therefore, no further description is provided. The disclosed locking sled 400 ensures that anvil assembly 532 is inserted into anvil channel 346a of loading unit 314 a distance sufficient to fully attach second buttress material 366 to anvil assembly 532.

[0124] Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the present disclosure. It is conceivable that the elements and features illustrated or described in conjunction with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure may be combined with elements and features of another aspect without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, those skilled in the art will understand the additional features and advantages of the present disclosure based on the various aspects described above of the present disclosure. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated by the appended claims, the present disclosure is not limited by what has been specifically shown and described.

[0125] The present invention may be described with reference to the following numbered paragraphs:-

[0126] 1. A loading unit, comprising:

[0127] a buttress slide having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an inner surface, the distal portion of the buttress slide including a first mounting member configured to secure a first end of a buttress material to the buttress slide, and the proximal portion of the buttress slide including a second mounting member configured to secure a second end of the buttress material to the buttress slide, the buttress slide including spaced apart rails, each of the spaced apart rails including ratchet teeth;

[0128] a buttress shield secured to the buttress sled, the buttress shield and the inner surface of the buttress sled defining an anvil channel configured to receive an anvil assembly of a surgical stapling device; and

[0129] The locking slide is capable of moving from a proximal position to a distal position along the guide rail of the support slide, the locking slide comprising a main body, a ratchet finger and an anvil hook, the ratchet finger being capable of engaging with the ratchet teeth of the support slide to facilitate movement of the locking slide in the distal direction within the anvil channel while prohibiting movement of the locking slide in the proximal direction within the anvil channel, the anvil hook being supported on the main body of the locking slide and being capable of moving from a first position for engaging an anvil assembly of a surgical instrument assembly to a second position for disengaging from the anvil assembly of the surgical instrument assembly.

[0130] 2 . The loading unit according to claim 1 , wherein the support slider and the support shield are integrally formed.

[0131] 3 . The loading unit of claim 1 , wherein the locking slide includes an abutment member extending from the body of the locking slide to a position between the spaced apart rails of the support slide.

[0132] 4. A loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the support slide includes a slide seating portion, which extends from at least one of the spaced apart guide rails to a position between the spaced apart guide rails, and the slide seating portion is aligned with the anvil hook to prohibit the locking slide from moving proximally from the proximal position within the anvil channel.

[0133] 5 . The loading unit of claim 4 , wherein the slider seating portion comprises a first slider seating portion on one of the spaced apart guide rails and a second slider seating portion on the other of the spaced apart guide rails.

[0134] 6 . The loading unit of claim 1 , wherein the anvil hook is supported on the main body of the locking slide by a resilient arm in a cantilever manner.

[0135] 7. A loading unit according to claim 6, wherein the anvil hook includes outwardly extending wings and each of the spaced apart guide rails includes a slide ramp portion, wherein the slide ramp portion is positioned to engage the locking slide when the locking slide is in the distal position to move the anvil hook from the first position to the second position.

[0136] 8 . The loading unit of claim 1 , further comprising a support material supported on the support slide.

[0137] 9. The loading unit of claim 8, wherein the support slide comprises a body having a flat surface for supporting the support material.

[0138] 10. The loading unit of claim 1, wherein the first mounting member comprises a C-shaped member having a protrusion, and the buttress material has a distal portion defining an opening that receives the protrusion of the C-shaped member.

[0139] 11. A loading unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the guide rails of the support slide defines a longitudinally extending channel, and the body of the locking slide includes a longitudinally extending rib, which is received in the longitudinally extending channel to retain the locking slide on the support slide.

[0140] 12. A support slide assembly, comprising:

[0141] a buttress slide having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a planar surface, the distal portion of the buttress slide including a first mounting member configured to secure a first end of a buttress material to the buttress slide, and the proximal portion of the buttress slide including a second mounting member configured to secure a second end of the buttress material to the buttress slide, the buttress slide including spaced apart rails, each of the spaced apart rails including ratchet teeth; and

[0142] A locking slide, which is capable of moving from a proximal position to a distal position along the guide rail of the support slide, the locking slide comprising a main body, a ratchet finger and an anvil hook, the ratchet finger being capable of engaging with the ratchet teeth to facilitate movement of the locking slide in a distal direction along the support slide while prohibiting movement of the locking slide in a proximal direction within the anvil channel, the anvil hook being supported on the main body of the locking slide and being capable of moving from a first position for engaging an anvil assembly of a surgical instrument assembly to a second position for disengaging from the anvil assembly of the surgical instrument assembly.

[0143] 13. The buttress slide assembly of claim 12, further comprising a first buttress material supported on the planar surface.

[0144] 14. A support slide assembly according to claim 12, wherein each of the guide rails of the support slide defines a longitudinally extending channel, and the body of the locking slide includes a longitudinally extending rib, which is received in the longitudinally extending channel to retain the locking slide on the support slide.

[0145] 15. The support slide assembly of claim 12, wherein the locking slide includes an abutment member extending from the body of the locking slide to a position between the spaced apart rails of the support slide.

[0146] 16. A support slide assembly according to claim 12, wherein the support slide includes a slide seating portion, which extends from at least one of the spaced apart guide rails to a position between the spaced apart guide rails, and the slide seating portion is aligned with the anvil hook to prohibit the locking slide from moving proximally from the proximal position.

[0147] 17. The support slide assembly of claim 16, wherein the slide seating portion comprises a first slide seating portion on one of the spaced apart guide rails.

[0148] and a second slider seating portion on another one of the spaced apart guide rails.

[0149] 18. The buttress slide assembly of claim 12, wherein the anvil hook is supported on the body of the locking slide in a cantilevered manner by a resilient arm.

[0150] 19. A support slide assembly according to claim 12, wherein the anvil hook includes outwardly extending wings and each of the spaced apart guide rails includes a slide ramp portion, wherein the slide ramp portion is positioned to engage the locking slide when the locking slide is in the distal position to move the anvil hook from the first position to the second position.

[0151] 20. The buttress slide assembly of claim 13, wherein the first mounting member comprises a C-shaped member having a protrusion, and the buttress material has a distal portion defining an opening that receives the protrusion of the C-shaped member.

Claims

1. A loading unit, comprising: a buttress slide having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an inner surface, the distal portion of the buttress slide including a first mounting member configured to secure a first end of a buttress material to the buttress slide, and the proximal portion of the buttress slide including a second mounting member configured to secure a second end of the buttress material to the buttress slide, the buttress slide including spaced apart rails, each of the spaced apart rails including ratchet teeth; a buttress shield secured to the buttress sled, the buttress shield and the inner surface of the buttress sled defining an anvil channel configured to receive an anvil assembly of a surgical stapling device; and The locking slide is capable of moving from a proximal position to a distal position along the guide rail of the support slide, the locking slide comprising a main body, a ratchet finger and an anvil hook, the ratchet finger being capable of engaging with the ratchet teeth of the support slide to facilitate movement of the locking slide in the distal direction within the anvil channel while prohibiting movement of the locking slide in the proximal direction within the anvil channel, the anvil hook being supported on the main body of the locking slide and being capable of moving from a first position for engaging an anvil assembly of a surgical instrument assembly to a second position for disengaging from the anvil assembly of the surgical instrument assembly. 2 . The loading unit according to claim 1 , wherein the support slider and the support shield are integrally formed.

3. The loading unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking slide includes an abutment member extending from the body of the locking slide to a position between the spaced apart rails of the support slide.

4. A loading unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support slide includes a slide seating portion, which extends from at least one of the spaced apart guide rails to a position between the spaced apart guide rails, and the slide seating portion is aligned with the anvil hook to prohibit the locking slide from moving proximally from the proximal position within the anvil channel. 5 . The loading unit of claim 4 , wherein the slider seating portion comprises a first slider seating portion on one of the spaced apart guide rails and a second slider seating portion on the other of the spaced apart guide rails.

6. The loading unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anvil hook is supported on the body of the locking slide in a cantilevered manner by a resilient arm.

7. A loading unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the anvil hook includes outwardly extending wings and each of the spaced apart guide rails includes a slide ramp portion, wherein the slide ramp portion is positioned to engage the locking slide when the locking slide is in the distal position to move the anvil hook from the first position to the second position.

8. The loading unit according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a support material supported on the support slide.

9. The loading unit of claim 8, wherein the support slide comprises a body having a flat surface for supporting the support material.

10. The loading unit of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first mounting member comprises a C-shaped member having a protrusion, and the buttress material has a distal portion defining an opening that receives the protrusion of the C-shaped member.

11. A loading unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the spaced apart guide rails of the support slide defines a longitudinally extending channel, and the body of the locking slide includes a longitudinally extending rib, which is received in the longitudinally extending channel to retain the locking slide on the support slide.

12. The loading unit of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a shipping cover pivotally coupled to the support slide and movable relative to the support slide from a first position to a second position.

13. The loading unit of claim 12, wherein the shipping cover includes a locking finger positioned to engage the support slide to retain the shipping cover in the first position.

14. The loading unit of any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the shipping cover is configured to support a staple cartridge.

15. The loading unit of any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising a biasing member positioned to urge the shipping cover toward the second position.

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